A £2 million appeal to save a Black Country children’s hospice is marking its one-year anniversary by paying tribute to the incredible fundraising efforts of the local community.



Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Acorns have announced that an incredible £885,000 has been donated to their Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal over the past 12 months. 

Thanks to this amazing generosity, the Walsall-based hospice has been providing vital front-line care for some of the region’s most vulnerable children and families throughout the pandemic. 

Over the course of lockdown, the hospice has also been providing expert psychosocial and counselling support to around 200 local families who normally use the hospice but have been shielding at home for the protection of their children. 



Acorns has also coordinated a substantial delivery programme of care packages of food and household essentials, receiving items donated by the local community and delivering them to the doorsteps of the families that need them. 

Donations large and small from members of the public over the past year have enabled the hospice to continue through the most challenging times. Toby Porter, Acorns Chief Executive paid tribute to the Black Country community and urged people to help the charity reach its next milestone of £1 million. He said:

“Words can’t describe how grateful I am to the Black Country community for their support as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Appeal. 



“It's not just in monetary terms either - we’ve seen incredible demonstrations of generosity from local people as the hospice became a donation hub for the distribution of food and essentials to self-isolating families. It has been so inspiring to see us work together with the local community at a time of intense crisis.


“Please do what you can and help us reach the next milestone of £1million. Your generosity has inspired us and gives us hope. Because of you, we have been able to continue supporting children and families when they need us most."



Thanks to the success of the Appeal which launched on 19 July 2019, Acorns in the Black Country has been at the centre of the charity’s COVID-19 emergency response, with the Walsall-based facility having been set aside for children from local hospitals with complex care needs to help acute trusts maximise their intensive care capability.

 Speaking about the event, Adil said:

"We’ve all been through a really tough time in the last few months and who knows what lies ahead. I think seeing what is happening here puts everything into perspective how fortunate so many of us are and how unfortunate and how dire the situation can be for the most vulnerable.

"If you need an example of those people, they’re right here at Acorns. I’m totally inspired by the families here, I met a couple of young lads today talking about Formula 1 and all sorts of things, not realising what they’re going through on a daily basis and some of the staff here, who are just incredible.

"We know that Walsall has really, really been in a terrible situation for a while now but has turned it around and the reason why it has turned it around is thanks to the community and thanks to everybody who’s donated an amazing amount of money to keep this hospice going.

"They’ve got a target of £2 million and so far they’ve raised £885,000. They would not have been able to look after the children in the last few months during this coronavirus pandemic if it wasn’t for that support and those kind donations. Please try and dig deep - whatever you can do will help these children and the staff here immensely."




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.



To find out more about the Appeal, or to make a donation, you can visit acorns.org.uk/donate.