Peaky Blinders creator backs Acorns Hospice appeal
People are being asked to give what they can to help an appeal to save Acorns children's hospice hit £500,000 and beyond - by order of the Peaky Blinders.
Steven Knight, the creator of the smash-hit series, is the latest big name to get behind the appeal, which is also being backed by the Express & Star.
Mr Knight is calling on people to give what they can to help keep the money rolling in. The appeal has got off to a fantastic start and is now just £50,000 shy of the half a million mark.
The level of support has been so huge that the immediate threat of closure at the hospice has been lifted and planning has started for next year.
However, Acorns still needs to reach £2 million if it is to survive until new NHS funding arrives in 2023.
Peaky Blinders has grown into a global hit since hitting screens in 2013. The BBC series follows the Brummie gangster Shelby family and is partly filmed at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley.
Birmingham-born writer, producer and director Mr Knight said in a video message: “I’m here to encourage you to help the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal. Lots of money has come in already, we just need a little bit more – we’re nearly up to half a million.
“So please, if you can, give what you can. It’s a really worthwhile cause and if you do, it’s by order of the Peaky Blinders.”
Mr Knight, a longstanding friend of Acorns, will be one of the stars of a special event next year, where he will be interviewed alongside Mayor of the West Midlands and Appeal Patron, Andy Street.
He joins the likes of Noddy Holder, Julie Walters and Jasper Carrott in backing the appeal.
Mr Knight has also donated a number of Garrison Tailors’ suits which are being auctioned to raise money for the appeal. The suits were worn by Birmingham City players to officially launch this season's kit.
Acorns Chief Executive, Toby Porter, said: “If anyone had said to me at the start of the Appeal we would be on course to raising half a million pound in just four months, I would have been amazed. This is a wonderful, generous community and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this milestone.
“On behalf of all of us at Acorns, a huge thank you to everyone who has backed this Appeal so far and to Steven for his expression of support, which I hope will help galvanise even more people to get behind our appeal.
“There is still much work to be done. We are nearly a quarter of the way to our £2million target, but with your help I am confident we can get there. I urge everyone to see what they can do to support the appeal. Large or small, it doesn’t matter – it all makes a difference for our ability to help any child and family in the Black Country that will need us in the future.”
