It is with great sadness we share the news that longstanding Acorns Trustee, Jim McCarthy has passed away, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Jim, a Chartered Accountant by profession, held senior management positions in several market-leading commercial organisations, before in retirement applying his wealth of experience to the voluntary sector.

Introduced to Acorns by former Acorns Chairman, David Butcher, Jim was appointed as a Trustee and prospective Treasurer in 2011. He chaired the Resources Committee for six years before becoming Vice Chairman in 2019. He eventually stepped down from the Trustee Board in 2022.

It was in 2020 that Jim was given the news he had cancer, along with an initial prognosis that gave him just six months. However, through a combination of medical science and his characteristic tenacity, Jim continued to bless Acorns and those around him for several more years.

Jim’s impact on the Acorns Board has been invaluable, his extensive experience helping guide the charity through significant challenges, including a period of financial uncertainty in 2019, and the Covid pandemic. The charity that has emerged from these challenges is undoubtedly one stronger and more resilient thanks to the careful stewardship of people like Jim.

With over a decade of dedicated service to Acorns, Jim leaves a lasting legacy towards countless children and families across our region. He was a tireless advocate for our cause and, to everyone he worked with, a source of wisdom and sound judgement.

Acorns has received a steady flow of heartfelt tributes to Jim since the news of his passing, including from his fellow Trustees, all of whom are unanimous in their reflections of a brilliant friend and supportive colleague.

“Jim had oversight of Acorns purse strings when I first met him and went on to become my choice as Vice Chair. Jim’s counsel was readily welcomed by all his trustee and executive colleagues, his insights were always worth hearing and his quiet and unassuming manner masked an inner strength and self-confidence second to none. I could not have wished for a better confidante. I was proud to count Jim as a friend and he will be sorely missed. I should like to extend my deepest condolences, and those of all his friends at Acorns, to Jim’s charming wife, Lynda, and to his family at this sad time.”

Mark Hopton, Acorns Chairman