Acorns Children’s Hospice has announced important progress in the battle to save its Black Country Hospice from closure thanks to an incredible response from the local community - but urged the public to keep donating.

The charity’s Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal has now 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.

Today (Friday 15 November) - following a meeting of the Acorns Board of Trustees earlier in the week - the charity announced they are in the position to remove the earlier limit on families booking stays for their children beyond March 2020.

Despite the optimistic announcement, Acorns Chief Executive, Toby Porter admitted there was still a long way to go and 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. I would urge people to join us in recommitting to the Appeal and continue to support the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal until it reaches its final £2m target.”

The Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal was launched by Acorns on 19 July as the proposed closure of its hospice in Walsall was put on hold following 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, businesses and sports teams all stepping-up to support the charity.

Toby added: “Today 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.”

To support the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal, please visit www.acorns.org.uk/appeal

Appeal highlights so far…

19 July – Closure decision put on hold and the Appeal is officially launched by Acorns
25 July – Celebrities Jasper Carrott, Glynn Purnell and Tony Iommi back the Appeal
31 July – Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor announced as Patron of the Appeal
7 August – Erica Brown, former Acorns member of staff donates £100,000
13 August – Dame Julie Walters backs the Appeal as the total passes £200,000
31 August – James Wright completes 31 Marathons in 31 days to raise over £10,000
19 September – Walsall FC announce charity partnership with Acorns
25 September – Harry Potter Star Mark Williams supports the Appeal
7 October – Hospice Head Nurse Urges for Support During Hospice Care Week 2019
18 October – Brave Acorns mum takes the plunge in fundraising skydive
4 November – Walsall celebrities Ellie Simmonds and Noddy Holder back the Appeal