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Football

12th Jun 2019

Kia fly Arsenal fan injured in accident out to Europa League final

JOE

In partnership with Kia

Kia Motors flew the fan and his family out to Baku, Azerbaijan for the final

Arsenal fan Elliot Russell was flown out to the UEFA Europa League final in Baku, Azerbaijan late last month as a guest of Kia Motors, to watch the team he supports face Chelsea.

The 15-year-old suffered an extensive brain injury when he was just 12 years old as a result of a car accident. Initially he was unable to see or speak and wasn’t able to walk on his own. He also suffered memory loss to the point that he was at times unable to recognise his own parents.

Thanks to months of rehabilitation and support from the Children’s Trust, he has been able to step up his recovery and begin to enjoy life again, and was a guest of Kia at the final at the end of May. 

Dalton Leong, Chief Executive at The Children’s Trust said: “Sport plays a crucial role in children’s development, and that’s the same when they come to The Children’s Trust for intensive rehabilitation following a brain injury.

“Many of the children that come here want nothing more than to be able to play sports and games with their friends again, so we use that to motivate them and help them to relearn lost skills, whilst having fun. This is an incredible opportunity for Elliot and his family and we are extremely grateful to KIA Motors for making it possible.”

“We’ve worked with The Children’s Trust for a number of years now and have seen first-hand the importance of giving back to the community,” commented Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia Motors UK. “It is a privilege to host Elliot and his family at the UEFA Europa League final.”

Follow Elliot’s journey via Kia’s social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

To find out more about the support The Children’s Trust provides or to make a donation visit: www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk