21st October 2025
Why one mother is leaving a gift in her Will to Acorns Children’s Hospice.
When Joy Clarke talks about her support for Acorns, it’s clear that this is no ordinary act of giving – it’s a deeply personal promise, shaped by a lifetime of compassion, loss and a powerful desire to make a difference.
Joy’s journey with Acorns began when she was invited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our hospice in Birmingham, having already been a dedicated donor. It was a visit that left a lasting impression.
Joy is a familiar face in Tewkesbury, where she runs a small but mighty craft stall alongside friends. Together, they handmake everything from cards and crochet blankets to knitted teddies and cross-stitch pieces, with every penny of profit going directly to support our care for children and families across the West Midlands. She graciously says: “I can only do this with the support of my husband who drives me to market venues.”
Joy pays for the stall herself, a quiet but impactful act of generosity that speaks volumes.
Her family are also part of this legacy of care. Her husband, a baker and fundraiser in his own right, is well-known for his homemade cakes, bread, and charity roasts at the Three Kings in Hanley Castle which also supports Acorns. Their son Anthony was also inspired to hold quiz nights for charity when he ran a pub.
But it’s Joy’s son Robert who truly inspires her support. Robert sadly died in 1988 at the age of 22, after living with epilepsy, scoliosis and cerebral palsy. He would have been 58 this year. Joy still remembers the difficult hospital stays, the lack of private spaces, and the fear of having nowhere to turn when staff went on strike. Her sons found the hospital visits overwhelming and there was no space just for family, no peace, no time just to be.
“There wasn’t much support back then,” Joy remembers. “Not like there is now with Acorns. If a place like this had existed when Robert was alive – it would’ve changed everything.”
This reflection, coupled with the clarity brought on by the pandemic, led Joy to make an extraordinary decision: to leave a gift in her Will to Acorns. For Joy, it’s not just about giving, it’s about ensuring no other family has to face the journey alone, like hers once did.
“I’ve seen what a difference Acorns makes,” she says. “Children with short lives, and their families, deserve comfort, space, dignity and love. I want to help make sure Acorns can be there for them, not just now, but long into the future.”
Joy’s legacy will help Acorns continue to provide life-changing care to children and their families for generations to come – a lasting gift of hope, love, and support when it’s needed most.