Adopt Birmingham Takes on the Great Birmingham Run
Two members of the Birmingham Children’s Trust team are lacing up their trainers for this year’s AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, not just to cross a finish line, but to go the distance for children across the city who are still waiting to find their forever family.
Andrew Logie, Head of Service for Adopt Birmingham, and Jake Shaw, Head of Service for Rights & Participation at Birmingham Children’s Trust, will both take part in the iconic half marathon on Sunday 3 May. The 13.1-mile route starts at Centenary Square on Broad Street and winds through some of Birmingham’s most beloved landmarks, from the Jewellery Quarter to Cannon Hill Park, before finishing at Smithfield, the event is predicted to draw thousands of runners and supporters to the heart of the city.
Their reason for running goes beyond personal challenge. Right now, there are over 130 children in Birmingham alone waiting to be adopted. For the first time in recent years, there are more children in need of adoption than there are people coming forward to adopt.
Andrew explains what he hopes the run will achieve: “When people think about adoption, there is often that doubt that they are not good enough, that the process takes too long, or they cancel themselves out without having a conversation. By relating the adoption process to a marathon, we hope to connect with those people who have thought about adoption but have ruled themselves out thinking it’s not for them.”
It’s a powerful parallel. Training for a half marathon can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right support, the right guidance, and a willingness to take it one step at a time, people surprise themselves. The adoption journey is no different.
Jake Shaw echoes that sentiment and reminds us that adoption is never a one-sided journey: “Every child waiting for a family has a view on what that family looks like. They have hopes, preferences, and things that matter deeply to them. The adoption process isn’t just a journey for the adults considering it. Running this race is a reminder that we have to go the distance for them, not just with them.”
Adopt Birmingham is the Regional Adoption Agency for Birmingham and the West Midlands, operating on behalf of Birmingham Children’s Trust and Birmingham City Council. Rated Good with Outstanding Leadership by Ofsted, the agency supports prospective adopters at every stage, from the very first enquiry through to matching, placement, and lifelong post-adoption support.
Could You Adopt?
If you’ve ever thought about adoption but talked yourself out of it, this is your sign to have the conversation. Adopt Birmingham holds regular information events in Birmingham and online, designed to answer your questions in a friendly, no-pressure environment.