Trevor Beattie’s story begins not in boardrooms or on the pages of advertising history, but on the streets of Balsall Heath, Birmingham, where he was born and raised. It was here, in this close-knit, working-class community, that Beattie first learned the values of resilience, hard work and looking out for one another – values that would go on to define both his extraordinary career and his life’s most personal mission.
From those humble beginnings, Beattie went on to become one of Britain’s most celebrated admen and filmmakers, eventually achieving what few from his hometown, or anywhere, ever have: becoming the first Brummie to travel into outer space. His remarkable life has included trekking to the South Pole with Buzz Aldrin and forging connections with global icons such as Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali. Yet for Beattie, no achievement carries more meaning than the tribute he has built to the two people who shaped him most: his parents, Jack and Ada.
In 2011, Beattie established the Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation in their honour, transforming his personal gratitude into a lasting force for good in the city that raised him. Rooted in the same spirit of community and generosity he witnessed growing up in Balsall Heath, the Foundation is dedicated to providing meaningful, practical support to people in need across Birmingham.
This year, the Foundation is expanding that mission with “Tons of Help for Brum,” an initiative offering cash grants to individuals facing hardship. It builds on the success of “Tons of Help for Brum,” launched in 2024, which invites people to apply for £100 grants or to contribute toward helping others, fostering a cycle of generosity within the community Beattie has never forgotten.
Beattie will take centre stage to share his remarkable journey, from Balsall Heath to space, at this year’s International Day of Birmingham (IDOB), taking place on 24th September at 6:30 pm in the historic Council Chamber of Birmingham Council House.
Speaking ahead of IDOB, Trevor Beattie said: “From the age of about ten, I pestered my parents with my daft daydream of travelling to Space. It took a lifetime, but that dream finally came true. And now I get the chance to explain the whole strange story to a random gathering of Brummies at the Council House, on International Day of Birmingham. Sounds like another madcap mission to me..
But it does give me the chance to honour my parents, explain the good stuff we are doing in their memory, through TonsOfHelp.com and of course officially confirm that Birmingham is the best city on the planet.”
This year’s global celebration spans two days, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th September, with a landmark programme taking over Birmingham’s historic Council House for the first time. Dignitaries and leading figures from arts, culture, food, media and nightlife will gather to honour Birminghams across the globe.
The theme, “The House That Brum Built,” celebrates Birmingham’s surprising worldwide connections, brought to life in 2024 when comedian Joe Lycett travelled across North America, home to eighteen Birminghams, forging official “Friendship Agreements” for the Sky show Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham.
As a proud sponsor of IDOB, the Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation remains committed to uplifting the community that shaped Beattie’s own story, making this year’s event a deeply personal milestone as much as a citywide celebration.
For more information about the Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation, visit beattiefoundation.com.
For updates on the International Day of Birmingham, visit idob.co.uk.
For press and media enquiries or interviews with Trevor Beattie, please contact xenia@seventyonemedia.com.