Acorns Children’s Hospice has won a prestigious award at the national Muslim News Awards, held at a glittering ceremony in London.
The Annemarie Schimmel Award for Championing a Muslim Cause was awarded to the charity at the annual event, held at Grosvenor House, London on Monday (8 April).
Featuring a Keynote speech from Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the awards, now in their 17th year, aim to recognise achievement and promote excellence within the UK Muslim community.
Commenting on the win, Acorns Chief Executive, Toby Porter, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this very special award. Celebrating the diversity of our children and families and reflecting this in our care principles and approaches has for many years been a priority for Acorns.
“Tailoring our care to the needs of the different children and families using our service is key to our ability to create a ‘home from home’ environment at our children’s hospices, and to supporting children with a life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and their families.”
Since Acorns was established around a quarter of the children and families using its services have been from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background and nearly a third of families with children registered at Acorns identify themselves as Muslims.
Toby added: “This award really is a testament to all the staff and volunteers at Acorns, who every day ensure we are an inclusive and open organisation. I am incredibly proud for all they do for each and every family that needs our care and support.”
Acorns Children’s Hospice offers a network of specialist palliative care and support for babies, children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, as well as support for their families.
In the past year Acorns has cared for over 870 children and more than 1,140 families, including those who are bereaved.
ENDS
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.
- Acorns is currently the UK and the world’s largest children’s hospice charity, as measured by the number of children it is helping to care for.
- 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.
