Hope grows for future of Acorns Children’s Hospice, but still work to do

Acorns Children’s Hospice in the West Midlands has announced important progress in its battle to avoid closure thanks to the response from the local community, but is urging the public to keep donating.

The charity has announced they are in the position to remove the earlier limit on families booking stays for their children beyond March 2020.

The hospice’s Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal launched in July has reached an impressive £450,000 in four months, but Acorns still needs to raise more than three quarters of the £2m target to secure the long-term future of its Walsall-based hospice.

Acorns Chief Executive, Toby Porter urged the public to keep supporting the charity: “Today is a significant day in the journey of our appeal. £450,000 is a fantastic milestone, and we have reached it faster than we expected when we launched it in July. We are obviously hopeful, but we cannot and will not rest for one moment before we reach our £2m goal.

“Words cannot express how grateful we are to everyone who has supported the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal so far. The community is responding in an amazing way, and every day directly funding the vital children’s hospice care that more than 230 children and their families across the Black Country rely upon.

“We are determined to reach our goal. I want to thank everyone who has responded so generously and who have shown that we can reach our target.”

Acorns launched as the proposed closure of its hospice in Walsall was put on hold. This followed pledges of additional NHS support that should ensure the hospice is adequately funded from 2023/24 onwards.

The urgent call for donations has seen the local community mobilise into action, with numerous individuals, celebrities including Jasper Carrot and Dame Julie Walters, businesses and Walsall FC all stepping up to support the charity.

Toby added: “This is a really positive milestone reached. Families can book stays at our Walsall hospice further into the future.

“However, we still have a long way to go. Please continue to fundraise and to donate in the amazing ways that you have been doing and help ensure the long-term delivery of our care across the Black Country for the children and families that need us.”

For more information visit Acorns Children’s Hospice