AFC Greenwich Borough is proud to announce a long-term community partnership with The Chartwell Children’s Cancer Trust, strengthening our commitment to supporting children, young people and families affected by cancer and blood disorders.
This partnership builds on a relationship that stretches back many years. Chairman Paul Whitehead has worked closely with Chartwell through previous clubs and community events, and as he put it during a recent conversation with Chartwell’s Natalie Reilly and Jo Bennett, “It was a no-brainer to bring you in again”.
A Shared Purpose, A Shared Community
Chartwell Children’s Cancer Trust provides life-changing support for families facing the most difficult circumstances. Their work includes:
- Funding essential equipment for the Tiger Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Covering transport for families travelling to and from treatment
- Providing treasure-chest toys for children undergoing difficult procedures
- Offering fully funded respite breaks on the Isle of Wight
- Supporting siblings and wider families affected by a child’s diagnosis
As Jo explained, “Our funds go direct into the ward… that in turn impacts the community here”
For Greenwich Borough, the alignment is natural. We are a football club built on community, grassroots development and providing opportunity for young people. Chartwell is rooted in compassion, practical support and the belief that no family should face the journey alone.
Together, this partnership creates something bigger than football.
The ‘AV1 Robot’ Programme: Technology Connecting Children to School
One of Chartwell’s most innovative projects is their fleet of AV1 “telepresence” robots, which allow young patients undergoing treatment to remain connected to school life even when they cannot physically attend.
The robots sit in the classroom on behalf of the child, allowing them to:
- See the lesson
- Interact with teachers and classmates
- Take part in discussions
- Be “present” in school life without health risks
As Natalie explained, “The idea is that everyone in the classroom communicates with the robot as though it were the student… it’s good for their mental health”.
Chartwell currently supports 27 robots, each costing £3,000 to purchase and £800 per year to maintain, ensuring they remain fully functional and connected via 5G.
Paul highlighted how significant this is: “That’s a very small price to pay for what it achieves. It’s fantastic innovation.”
Greenwich Borough will be working closely with Chartwell to raise awareness of the programme and explore sponsorship opportunities to help fund additional units.
A Dedicated Space for Families at GB10
As part of the future development of GB10 Sports Site in New Eltham, Greenwich Borough has committed to giving Chartwell dedicated access to new indoor and outdoor spaces that will be built on-site.
Paul outlined the vision clearly: “We’re going to allocate you a room in the new building… a clean environment where parents can meet while the kids play… that was my idea.”
Chartwell confirmed how vital this will be: “We’re always looking for suitable meetups for the oncology groups we support, and having this on the doorstep would be fantastic.”
This will allow:
- Play sessions for oncology children and their siblings
- Safe, clean, accessible spaces for families to meet
- Coffee mornings and support groups
- Indoor and outdoor activity options depending on the season
- A centralised hub for local families who currently travel far for meetups
- This isn’t a symbolic partnership. It’s functional, practical, and life-changing.
Joint Events, Fundraising and Community Involvement
The partnership will also include:
- Annual Fireworks Night with profits supporting Chartwell and local schools
- Networking events bringing local businesses, sponsors and Chartwell supporters together
- Ongoing fundraising opportunities hosted on GB10 grounds
- Awareness campaigns through the club’s media channels
- Volunteer involvement across events and matchdays
Natalie summed it up perfectly:
“We like to build relationships with the people we work with… you actually see where everything goes.”
“We Take Our Social Responsibility Seriously”
Greenwich Borough’s community vision goes far beyond football. As Paul explained: “We’re more than just a football club. We take our social responsibility very seriously.”
This partnership cements that belief in action.
- A developing sports hub
- A growing academy full of children and young people
- A committed community-focused leadership team
- A charity whose work genuinely changes lives
Together, the potential is enormous.
Looking Ahead
Both organisations share the same long-term ambition: a partnership that lasts for years, grows with the community, and creates measurable impact for families who need it most.
In Paul’s words: “We can basically work as one under the same banner… the sky’s the limit.”
AFC Greenwich Borough is proud to stand with Chartwell Children’s Cancer Trust, and proud to bring this partnership into the heart of our club’s identity and future.
