Articles
India Cycle Challenge
14-24th November 2013
Have an incredible Indian adventure and raise vital funds for Acorns on the 2013 Acorns India Cycle Challenge. Exclusively for Acorns supporters, participants on this 400km cycle challenge will see a different side to Rajasthan, the ‘land of the kings’ as they weave through the back streets, small villages and desert landscapes. Days in the saddle will be long and hot but one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, will be your target, pulling you onwards towards the finish line.
For those wanting to give something back there is also the opportunity of extending your stay to include a community project working towards improving the lives of local children, further information available soon.
Brief itinerary:
Day 1 – Depart the UK for overnight flight to Delhi
Day 2 – Arrive in Delhi and transfer to Jaipur, the Pink City. Evening free at leisure
Day 3 – A free day to enjoy the sights and sounds of Jaipur
Day 4 – The first day of cycling! Participants will cover around 52km to a spectacular camp on the edge of the Seriska Tiger Park.
Day 5 – Cycle 98km around the Seriska Tiger Park keeping an eye out for the local wildlife!
Day 6 – Stunning scenery should help participants get through 77km of tough conditions.
Day 7 – 90km of mostly flat cycling passing through the most scenic section of the whole trip.
Day 8 – The last day of cycling covering 73km to Khuana from where participants will transfer into Agra for their celebratory dinner.
Day 9 – Participants enjoy a free day in Agra to visit the fantastic Taj Mahal.
Day 10 – Transfer to the airport for return flight to the UK
Day 11 – Arrive back in the UK
Fundraising options:
Option 1: You agree to meet a minimum fundraise target which includes the cost of the trip
£299 deposit and minimum fundraise of £2,850 (of this amount at least 80% must be delivered to Acorns no later than 11 weeks prior to departure with the additional 20% delivered 4 weeks after return to the UK)
Option 2: You personally pay the full cost of your trek and then fundraise as much as you can for Acorns with no minimum (although we encourage you to raise as much as you can!)
£299 deposit and £1,561 balance (paid 11 weeks prior to departure).
Included:
Return Flights & transfers
All accommodation on twin share basis - B&B and camping (equipment provided)
Bicycle Hire
Most meals (excludes those on free days)
Water and snacks during cycling
Guide and tour leader
Visit to the Taj Mahal
Excluded:
Airport taxes of £225pp payable 6 weeks prior to departure
India Visa (approx. £37pp)
Personal kit and bike helmet (essential)
Meals on free days
Tips
Travel insurance
Alcoholic drinks
How do I sign up?
You can register online now here.
Alternatively for an information pack and to sign up for this international challenge please call 0844 984 0405 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Walk for Harry
Sunday 13th May 2012
Thank you to all the wonderful people that have taken part in Walk for Harry. Don't forget to visit www.freeradio.co.uk/walkforharry after the walk to see the photos and video from the day.
You have all done something really special to remember Harry Moseley and helped to make a real difference to the lives of children and families at Acorns. A proportion of the sponsorship you have raised will go directly towards refurbishing our hospice in Selly Oak which is in need of an update after years of daily wear and tear.
As a way of saying thank you, we are giving all walkers the chance to win one of three prizes:
- A family ticket* to the opening night of Legally Blonde
the Musical at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on Tue 28 Aug 2012. Winner of 7 major awards including Best Musical 2011 (Olivier Awards) this all singing, all dancing romantic comedy is about knowing who you are and showing what you’ve got! Directed by Tony and Olivier Award winning Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray) this romantic comedy is the funniest and most fabulous musical around. For more details on the show visit www.atgtickets.com/birmingham or call 0844 871 3011.
*A family ticket consists of 4 tickets including a maximum of 2 adults. Tickets are for the stated performance only on Tuesday 28th August 2012 at 7.30pm and no alternative prize is available.
- A one day family ticket* to Drayton Manor Theme Park - one of the UK's most popular 
day-out attractions for young and old. The park is home to the amazing Thomas Land, incredible white-knuckle rides, like Apocalypse and Maelstrom, and a 15-acre zoo. Find out more at www.draytonmanor.co.uk/
*A family ticket consists of 4 tickets including a maximum of 2 adults to be taken within the stated redemption period.
- A hamper of chocolate
To enter, complete the form below and press ‘send’ to submit your entry.
*Please view the prize draw terms & conditions here.
Acorns Dog Walk
Sunday 27th May 2012, 10am, Sutton Park - Birmingham
This new event will see dogs take their owner out for a 3km or 6km walk around the beautiful surroundings of Sutton Park to help raise vital funds for their local children’s hospice.
Entry is £5 per dog and the whole family can come to support your pet's efforts walking around this stunning landscape which is included in English Heritage's list of historic parks and gradens. People can still take part without their dog but will have to pay the entry fee of £5.
Acorns provides care and support for children and young people with life limiting or life threatening conditions. These children often need care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It costs £750 for one child’s care per day and we rely on voluntary donations for the majority of our income.
Register online now! Alternatively please download an entry form here.
For more information call: 0844 984 0405 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Download the event Terms & Conditions here.
Once you've registered to take part, why not set up your online sponsorship page on JustGiving?
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship support is essential for Acorn’s to continue to run such large scale events, ensuring maximum income is generated for the charity from the event by helping to cover costs. Opportunities are available to sponsor an individual run or the whole event, starting from as little as £500. In return, sponsors will receive possible benefits including branding on marketing materials and event web pages, product placement and branding at the event, company logo on the event medal ribbons and literature in participant event packs. There is also the opportunity to attend the event and promote your services. Please get in touch on the phone number or email address listed above if you would like to find out more.
Volunteering
The Acorns Dog Walk is a brand new event and in our first year we will need a huge team of volunteers to make this event a success. If you don't fancy walking with your dog in the event, are unable to participate, or can spare some time to help us, we'd love to hear from you! Volunteers are required for:
• Manning the help desk
• Setting up the site ready for the event
• Marshalling the route
• Giving out prizes
If you would like to volunteer at the Acorns Dog Walk please
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or call 0844 984 0405.
Walk of Worcestershire
Sunday 1st July 2012 - in aid of Acorns
Free Radio has teamed up with Worcester Bosch Group to organise this summer event in support of Acorns. The 10.5 mile charity walk will take place in some of the county’s most scenic routes and proceeds will directly benefit our hospice in Worcester.
It is hoped that people of all ages from across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and from further afield will want to dust off their walking shoes and stride out in support of Acorns.
The Route
The Walk of Worcestershire will start at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern and finish at Worcester Racecourse.
How to Enter
Visit www.freeradio.co.uk/walkofworcestershire to register and you can also find more information about the route.
How taking part in this event will help Acorns
We provide care for families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help them cope with the huge emotional, physical and financial challenges of caring for a life limited child. Money raised from the event will go directly towards continuing to provide care and support to over 200 life limited children and their families across the region currently using our services.
1km Fun Run
Sunday 24th June 2012
This fun run is a unique 1km, hard standing, outdoor course suitable for both wheelchair and ambulant competitors. The course is designed to cater for children and adults with special needs. Entrants may be self-propelled, walk, run or be pushed around the course.
This outdoor course is wheelchair friendly and finishes under the same arch as the 5km fun run and Malvern half marathon. The course is well marshalled and participants can make use of specialist facilities in the fun run HQ!
Facilities on site include:
• Medical back-up
• Well signed
• Wheelchair friendly
• Specialist toilet block on site equipped with changing bed and hoist
• Changing facilities
• Quiet area
• Fun run HQ. A private area for competitors and their family to relax
Entry fee: £5.00
The 1km fun run provides an ideal opportunity for the whole family to take part together. Many siblings of children on the 1km fun run take part in the 5km fun run, celebrating the success with brothers and sisters across the same finish line. Download the 1km fun run map here.
Please refer to the useful information section for answers to frequently asked questions about this event.
All children under 12 years of age on the event day must be accompanied by an adult competitor.
If you would like to arrange permission to enter the 1km fun runon the day please
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or call 0844 984 0405. (Entry on the day is only available when pre-arranged).
Event start: 10.30am
How to enter
Online registration for this event is now open! You can also download an entry form here.
Closing date for entries: Friday 15th June 2012
Once you've registered to take part, why not set up an online sponsorship page on JustGiving?