Euros inspired kids dream of career as footballers, new research from leading children's charity reveals

Childhood is one of the most formative times of our lives, and this generation of children seem to be inspired by the Euros 2024 fever sweeping the nation ahead of England’s match against Slovenia this evening [Tuesday 25 June].

A career as a footballer jointly topped a poll by Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) and YouGov that quizzed 1,306 six to 17-year-olds on their aspirations. A plucky 15% of those surveyed are even looking forward to watching their football team in a penalty shoot-out during this summer’s competition! And while footballer remains a stalwart choice for a quarter of boys, one in ten girls now aspires to a career as a footballer following the Lionesses’ trophy winning success in recent years.

But there is an aspirational shift for this digitally native generation, with gamer or streamer (17%) and video game developer (16%) selected as some of the most popular career choices by Generation Alpha. And while the public might expect “influencer” to rate highly as a career aspiration for teens, it’s clear there’s a switch as young people grow older; one in five (20%) ten-year-olds want a career as an influencer which crashes to just 6% of 15-year-olds.

The most popular named career choices for children and young people:

• Footballer, and gamer or streamer, tied on 17% each
• Video game developer, on 16%

The least popular named career choices for children and young people:

• Prime Minister, and activist, tied on 4% each
• Vet, environmental scientist, lawyer and astronaut, all tied on 7%

Beyond careers aspirations, GOSH Charity asked children what they were dreaming of in the coming year. While summer holidays, Christmas and birthdays top the list for most children and young people, and over a quarter of 6-year-olds (27%) are looking forward to learning to swim, thousands of children living with a serious childhood illness may not experience these childhood moments as easily.

GOSH Charity reveals the research today to help launch a new campaign highlighting the impact of serious illness on every part of childhood. Dreaming of the adults we will become and looking forward to celebrations and adventures should be a given, but serious illness can rob children of these formative experiences.

That’s why GOSH Charity funds vital services to help protect children’s childhoods, from groundbreaking research, cutting-edge medical equipment, child-centred medical facilities and the support services children and families going through the toughest journey of their lives urgently need like family accommodation, so mums and dads can stay close by their children during treatment.

Creating space for special childhood memories for all children is crucial, but especially for those dealing with rare and complex illnesses, so they have the best chance to fulfil their childhood dreams and aspirations.

Ezra’s story

This is something Merley, mother to six-year-old GOSH patient Ezra from Barking, who spent almost a year in isolation following a bone marrow transplant for a rare condition called Severe aplastic anaemia, knows all about. Ezra is one of the children starring in GOSH Charity’s new campaign highlighting the impact of serious illness on childhood.

Merley explains: “Ezra missed out on a lot of childhood moments because he was ill; his first day at school, learning to ride a bike alongside his sister, his fifth birthday party. He had no energy so couldn’t go outside and play or do group activities. I was really sad about it. He couldn’t enjoy that whole part of his life and it engulfed the whole family – we missed out on two years of family life.

“But GOSH and the services GOSH Charity funds really helped us. Physically and emotionally, GOSH was there for us, and that gave us hope. GOSH is very child-centred; the play team and all the staff helped Ezra forget about the serious stuff and allowed him to have fun and dream big, regardless. They encouraged his creativity, helped with his education and nurtured his abilities, so he was able to have his childhood in hospital and his aspirations for the future.

“I’m so proud that now Ezra dreams of becoming a firefighter when he grows up, a life-saver, just like GOSH has been for us.”

Comedian Alex Brooker was born without a bone in his right leg and with hand and arm disabilities. Alex was under GOSH’s care from the age of seven months until he became an adult.

Alex Brooker said: “When I was a child at GOSH, all I wanted to be was a Ghostbuster! At the time I did not realise this wasn't a viable career choice, but I have always had people around me who have believed in me and wanted me to achieve my dreams. That’s exactly what I got during my time at GOSH, and it’s only as an adult that I’ve learnt that so much of what makes the hospital such an extra special place for kids and families during the toughest times relies on charitable funding.

“I’m proud to be where I am today. I know with the public backing GOSH Charity, patients at GOSH will continue to do incredible things as they grow up, and I hope they outshine me as they achieve their dreams!”

Louise Parkes, Chief Executive of GOSH Charity said: “Our new research reveals the hopes and dreams of a generation of children and young people, and the new and emerging career areas that capture their imagination during formative childhood years. But sadly, the reality for seriously ill children treated at GOSH and elsewhere is that childhood may look very different to what they and their parents had imagined.

“At GOSH Charity, we do everything we can to give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible. We fund vital services and research that drives progress because we believe that no childhood should be lost to serious illness, and every child deserve to dream and have limitless ambitions as they grow up.

“That’s why we’re urging the public to join us and donate today, as we work to give seriously ill children the best chance, and the best childhood possible.”

GOSH Charity exists to give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible, until no childhood is lost to serious illness. Join us, visit gosh.org to find out more.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Publicity@gosh.org

Notes to editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1306 UK Children aged 6 to 17. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24th - 31st May 2024.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK Children aged 6 to 17.

About Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity)

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) stops at nothing to help give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer. For the hundreds of children from all over the UK who are treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) every day, for children with rare or complex illnesses everywhere, for this generation and all those to come.

GOSH has been transforming the lives of seriously ill children since opening its doors in 1852 and has always depended on charitable support. GOSH Charity funds groundbreaking research into children’s health, cutting-edge medical equipment, child-centred medical facilities and the support services children and families going through the toughest journey of their lives urgently need.  But there is so much more we need to do.

Together with our supporters, we can give seriously ill children the best chance, and the best childhoods, possible. Because we believe no childhood should be lost to serious illness.

Join us, visit gosh.org today.