Walsall FC stars are calling for more good sports to sign up for Acorns Santa Run and help support local children and families.
Defenders Mat Sadler and Cameron Norman have sent out a rallying call for more people to join the festive fundraiser which is coming back to the Black Country on Sunday 8 December.
The seasonal spectacular, which is taking place at Walsall Arboretum, will see hundreds of good boys and girls of all ages dress as Santas and little Elves to raise money for Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Urging people to join Acorns Santa Run, Mat Sadler said: “Please get behind this incredible charity and help us raise money for Acorns by signing up for Santa Run.”
Mat and teammate Cameron have seen first-hand how money raised through Acorns Santa Runs helps the charity continue its work caring for children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions.
The duo visited Acorns in the Black Country, based in Walsall, where they were given a tour of the hospice’s specialist facilities and spent time with children and families.
Acorns was announced as Walsall FC’s charity partner for the 2019/20 season. The Club has pledged to raise £10,000 towards Walsall-based hospice throughout the year.
Mat added: “Acorns Children’s Hospice is a very special place. Mat Sadler and I were lucky enough to visit the hospice in Walsall recently and we saw the amazing work the charity does for ourselves.
“However, they can only continue caring for the children and their families there with your help.”
New for 2019 at Acorns Santa Run is an interactive festive trail which is fun for all the family. Those who want to challenge themselves can take part in a 5k run. There will also be the same great food and music, plus free family days out included.
Rachel Farrington, Acorns Events Officer, said: “It’s fantastic to have Mat and Cameron on board supporting Acorns Santa Run as events like this are important for fundraising. Every penny raised will help us continue our vital work caring for children and families across the Black Country and the wider West Midlands.”
Acorns in the Black Country is currently at the centre of an urgent £2million fundraising appeal to safeguard its longer-term future. The Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal was launched by Acorns in July as the proposed closure of its hospice in Walsall was put on hold following pledges of additional NHS support, that should ensure the hospice is adequately funded from 2023/24 onwards.
Tickets for Acorns Santa Run are priced £15 for adults, £10 for children and £5 for dogs. Under 2s are free.
Tickets cover the cost of the event, but every penny raised in sponsorship goes directly to supporting local children and families. Tickets include free entry to a host of visitor attractions, including National Sea Life Birmingham and Thinktank.
To sign up for Acorns Santa Run, visit www.acorns.org.uk/santa-fun-run. Online registration closes at midnight on Wednesday 4 December but participants can still sign up in person on the day.
ENDS
Photo captions: Saddlers stars Mat Sadler and Cameron Norman are calling for more good boys and girls to sign up to Acorns Santa Run in the Black Country.
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
Help us continue our work caring for children and families across the West Midlands.
