Little mascots kick off super season of football fundraising with Walsall FC

25th September 2023

The Acorns mascots on the pitch with 5 children to pose for picture

This was the moment five proud children walked onto the pitch with their football heroes to kick off another super season of fundraising between Walsall FC and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The little mascots joined players in front of hundreds of supporters as the club officially announced that it is again supporting Acorns and its work caring for life limited and life threatened children across the Black Country.

Acorns has been named as the Saddlers’ official charity partner for the 2023/24 season as the club and fans once again show their commitment to raising vital funds and awareness of the local lifeline.

Noel Cramer, Director of Supporter Engagement at Acorns, said:

“What an incredibly special day for everyone involved. At Acorns, we’re all about creating memories to treasure forever and seeing the smiles on the faces of the children as they walked out onto the pitch is a day I’m sure many will never forget.”

A memory to treasure forever

“It was the perfect way to celebrate another year of generous support from our friends at Walsall Football Club. We’re so grateful to the Saddlers and their dedicated fans – because of them we are stronger together for children and families across the Black Country.”

The children, who are all supported by Acorns, got huge applause from the crowd as they joined the line-up on Saturday (23 September) for Walsall FC’s clash against Wimbledon. They also got a special tour of the stadium, played football on the pitch, and their families got to watch proudly from the sidelines.

The Saddlers and their fans have raised over £30,700 towards the charity’s vital care for children across the region.

The mascots got to play football on the pitch with Walsall FC’s Swifty

Walsall FC Co-Chairman Leigh Pomlett said: “For several years Walsall Football Club and Acorns have worked in partnership. We are very proud to support this wonderful children’s hospice and we will continue to take an active interest in its progress.”

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions and support for their families.

In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 700 children across the Black Country and wider West Midlands, and almost 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

Acorns needs around £27,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.

For more information or for interview, photograph or filming opportunities, contact the PR and Communications team at news@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.