A phenomenal group of Gloucestershire fundraisers have gone out on a high after raising over £350,000 for a local children’s hospice.
The Acorns Gloucestershire Support Group made the decision to retire after 18 years of dedicated fundraising for Acorns Children’s Hospice and the charity’s work caring for children and families in the county.
Members of the group, which raised funds through soft-toy tombolas and toy sales at events across Gloucestershire, attended a celebration at the charity’s hospice in Worcester last week (Friday 4th November) – where they received heartfelt thanks from staff and volunteers.
Northleach-based Mike Pezet, who formed the Support Group in 2014 with his wife Jennie, expressed his immense pride at what the group had achieved over the years.
He said: “When we first started the group I don’t think any of us dreamed we would raise this amount. It’s not been an easy decision to formally retire from fundraising, but we look back with immense pride at everything we’ve achieved.
“We couldn’t have done this without the amazing commitment of everyone in the group, and of course local people who have given so generously, time and time again.
“We know first-hand the huge difference Acorns makes across Gloucestershire and hopefully more people will be inspired to support the charity as it continues its work in the lives of local children and families.”
Over the years, funds raised by the group have directly benefited life limited and life threatened children across Gloucestershire.
A number of specific items and projects have also been supported through the group’s fundraising, including bathing equipment for the hospice’s hydrotherapy pool.
Noel Cramer, Acorns Director of Supporter Engagement, said: “What the Acorns Gloucestershire Support Group have achieved over the years has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“The money raised has gone directly towards our care and the wide range of clinical, practical and emotional care that families rely on across our local community. Our Three Counties hospice located in Worcester has been the focus of the fundraising as well as those services Acorns delivers in homes across Gloucestershire.
“Mike and his marvelous team have also worked hard raising awareness of the fact that the hospice for Gloucestershire children is in the next-door county and this has had a significant effect on helping people understand the full impact of Acorns locally.
“Everyone at Acorns will look back with great fondness at the group’s generosity and the incredible legacy they have left. As a charity we rely on the generosity of local people to continue, so we simply couldn’t be more grateful for their support.”
To find out how you can support Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk
ENDS
Photo caption: The Gloucestershire Support Group mark 18 years and £350,000 raised with a celebration at Acorns Children’s Hospice.
For more information or for interview, photograph or filming opportunities, contact the PR and Communications team:
David Chamberlain: 01564 825020 / 07817 612422 / david.chamberlain@acorns.org.uk
Nicki Robinson: 01564 825062 / 07814 302153 / nicki.robinson@acorns.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Due to the sensitive nature of Acorns care services it refrains from using the words ‘terminal’ or ‘terminally ill’ in its press releases and public communications when describing the children who use Acorns and the conditions that they have. Instead, Acorns uses the words ‘life limited’, ‘life limiting’, or ‘life threatening’. Acorns kindly requests that you respect this in your communications when referring to Acorns Children’s Hospice. Acorns children have a lot of living to do. Thank you.
- It costs £27,000 every day to run Acorns services providing care for children and support for their families. The charity relies heavily on donations to fund the majority of its activities.
- To find out more about Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk
