ISSUE DATE: 06 July 2022
Acorns Children’s Hospice has been announced as an official charity partner for Walsall Football Club for the 2022/23 season.
The partnership sees Walsall FC continue its support for the charity’s Black Country hospice and the over 200 children and families who rely on its care every year.
The Club is hoping to inspire Saddlers fans and the wider community to support Acorns and its Room to Grow Appeal, which aims to raise £750,000 towards the modernisation of the Walsall-based hospice.
Leigh Pomlett, Co-Chairman of Walsall FC, said: “We are very pleased as a Club with its roots in this Black Country community to back Acorns Black Country hospice which will re-open during the 22/23 season after a wonderful refurbishment.
“Given our strong relationship with Acorns it was clear that we should stay actively involved whilst the hospice has its first major refurbishment since opening in 1999 and we look forward to seeing the newly upgraded hospice reopen during our partnership season.”
The partnership announcement follows three years of Club and fan support for Acorns.
Walsall FC joined the campaign to save the long-term future of Acorns in the Black Country after it was placed at risk of closure due to financial difficulties in 2019.
The Saddlers announced Acorns as a charity partner for the 2019/2020 season, raising over £10,000 towards the successful Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal.
Noel Cramer, Acorns Director of Supporter Engagement, said: “We’re thrilled to once again be working closely with our loyal friends at Walsall FC. Together, with the help of the Club and its dedicated supporters, we can continue our care and create a hospice for the future for every local child and family that needs it.
“Acorns children’s hospice care is only possible because of the generosity of our local community and precious partnerships like the one we have with Walsall FC. We are truly delighted to be sharing what we hope will be an exciting season for both Acorns and the Club.”
The Acorns Room to Grow Appeal aims to raise funds towards a number of significant upgrades at Acorns in the Black Country, including the 10 children’s bedrooms where children stay for short breaks, emergency or end-of-life care, and a new purpose-built arts and crafts room.
The Walstead Road hospice was saved in April 2021 thanks to the actions and generosity of numerous individuals, businesses, celebrities, and sporting teams from across the local community.
During the pandemic, the hospice remained open every single day, providing the vital services local children and their families needed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It cost Acorns £27,000 per day to provide its care and support, the bulk of which comes from fundraising and donations.
To find out more about the Acorns Room to Grow Appeal and how you can get involved, please visit www.acorns.org.uk/roomtogrowappeal
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.
- 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
