A partnership between a Sutton Coldfield-based video production company and local charity Acorns Children's Hospice has scooped a prestigious award.

Ark Media Group won Best Promotional Film in the Royal Television Society Midlands Awards for a documentary depicting a Sahara Trek made in partnership with Acorns to help raise awareness of its work to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

The film documented a 50km trek completed by volunteers in 2023, aimed at symbolising the challenges faced by families who rely on Acorns’ care, while shedding light on personal stories at the heart of the charity’s mission, aimed at raising awareness of the charity and its work.

To create the documentary, Ark’s production team took part in the trek themselves, joining 30 others including Acorns' volunteers, employees and those directly impacted by the charity.

Phil Arkinstall (pictured), CEO at Ark Media Group, said: "We were delighted to win the Royal Television Society award for Best Promotional Film for our film 'Acorns Children’s Hospice: The Sahara Desert Journey'.

“Supporting local charities and the work they do to help families in need is a cause close to our hearts and our values at Ark, and this is about so much more than an award, but rounds off a very successful project to help raise awareness and the vital work that Acorns do."

The film is part of an ongoing partnership between Ark and Acorns, which will see the video production company support the charity at its ‘This Town’ Gala Dinner in February 2025.

The event, which celebrates the BBC TV drama series created by Steven Knight, will raise vital funds for Acorns, a cause that Knight says is close to his heart.

Kate Vousden, events manager for Acorns Children’s Hospice, said: “We want to extend our thanks and gratitude to Ark Media Group and for their incredible support during our 50km challenge across the Sahara Desert.

“Their efforts in capturing this trip of a lifetime on camera helped us bring it to life in a way that wouldn’t otherwise have been possible, and showed the spirit and determination of our dedicated participants in helping raise awareness of our vital work at Acorns Children’s Hospice.”

The journey through the Sahara desert saw participants endure temperatures of 35 degrees,  tackling ancient riverbeds, sand dunes, and sun-baked plains and camped under the stars, as well as engaging in traditional Berber activities and finishing with two days of community service in Marrakech, supporting local projects that help vulnerable and homeless people.

The documentary highlighted Acorns' vital role in enhancing the lives of children with life-limiting conditions and their families, ultimately proving instrumental in promoting the charity’s 2025 trek along the Great Wall of China, which is now fully subscribed.

The 2023 Sahara Trek ultimately raised £114,669.