Acorns appeal: Charity ball backs Walsall hospice with £12k donation
The biggest sum so far has been donated to the campaign to save under-threat Acorns children’s hospice.
A cheque for £12,000 has been handed over after it was raised at this year’s Nachural Summer Ball and Business Awards held at Wolverhampton Race course.
Event organiser, businessmen Ninder Johal, promised more funds to come.
The ball was just weeks after it was announced that the charity faced closure because of rising running costs and a drop in donations. As a result, more than twice last year’s total was raised.
Acorns chief executive Toby Porter described it as “a significant boost”.
How you can donate:
Text ACORNS5 to 70025 to donate £5*
Text ACORNS10 to 70025 to donate £10*
Visit acorns.org.uk/appeal
Phone: 01564 825 037
*With texts you will be charged your donation, plus your standard network rate. Acorns receives at least 98 per cent of your donation as it will incur a two per cent admin charge for this service. By texting, you are agreeing for Acorns to phone or text you to tell you about our work and how you can help. If you wish to donate and not hear from Acorns again, text ACORNS5 NO to 70025. For more information call 01564 825 037. Acorns Children’s Hospice registered charity no: 700859.
Mr Johal, a former Black Country Chamber of Commerce president and current Black Country LEP board member, announced his companies were adopting Acorns as their charity of the year, setting a target of raising a further £50,000 over the next 12 months.
The business boss, also Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, was taken on a tour of the Walsall hospice following the cheque handover.
He said: “There is such an incredible atmosphere at the hospice – it’s a warm and inviting place where the dedication and commitment of staff to the children and families is paramount.”
“We’ll do everything we can to keep the message out there among our members. As part of that we are pleased to make Acorns our charity of the year, covering the Birmingham Signature Awards, as well as next year’s Nachural Summer Ball.”
The Save Acorns Black Country Children’s Hospice Appeal was launched by the charity and sets out to raise £2 million until the full amount of new Government funding is reached.
Chief executive Toby Porter, said: “I attended the ball and was genuinely touched by the warm reaction from the business community towards Acorns and the work that we do.
“We’re thrilled, not just with this amount but the fact that we’ll be working closely with Ninder over the next 12 months as charity of the year.
"Their generous support is hugely appreciated.”
Mayor backs Acorns appeal
Meanwhile Acorns has announced West Midlands Mayor Andy Street as the patron of its urgent appeal.
The Mayor visited the hospice to meet staff and families including Mark Lyttle and Jennie Dalton, chief executive Toby Lewis and director of care, Emma Aspinall.
During his visit, Mr Street said: “I have seen how vital Acorns specialist care is so it is an honour to give my backing as official appeal patron for this very important campaign.”
Mr Porter added: “We are absolutely thrilled and hugely grateful for the mayor’s backing as we embark on this urgent appeal to safeguard our vital care for families in the Black Country.
“Andy Street has been a generous and loyal supporter of Acorns for many years, including running half marathons for the charity.
“We are delighted to be able to count on his expertise and support as patron as we look to build on the encouraging early response to the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal.”
