Football fans missing their favourite sport were treated to a virtual game between local rivals Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (4 April) in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The eight-goal thriller on FIFA 20 saw Villa defender Ezri Konsa suffer a 5-3 defeat against Wolves’ forward Diogo Jota in a live-streamed virtual derby that raised an incredible £4,145.47 for the charity.
Acorns was set to benefit from a bucket collection at Villa’s home game against Wolves, but with all Premier League action currently suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, the scheduled match between the two sides couldn’t go ahead.
So instead, the Premiership clubs teamed up to play a fundraising match to help Acorns and its work caring for some of the most vulnerable families caught up in the pandemic.
Zoe Baggott, Senior Manager for Area and Events at Acorns, said: “What a nail-biting match – it was goals galore! We can’t thank Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers enough for coming together in this highly imaginative way for Acorns and raising such a fantastic amount.
“We’re extremely grateful to have two of the region’s biggest clubs and their supporters join us in the fight against Covid-19 as we care for some of the community’s most vulnerable families during what is a really scary time. From everyone at Acorns, thank you!”
There are around 600 families supported by the charity across the West Midlands who are now self-isolating and alone, as they care for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions.
Acorns has mobilised staff and volunteers to deliver care-packages of essentials, toiletries, treats and games for children, as well as emotional support.
As part of its emergency coronavirus planning, last month Acorns announced it was to temporarily close its hospice in Birmingham for the first time in over 30 years.
The hospice’s staff have been reassigned to the charity’s other two hospices in Walsall and Worcester, and Acorns in Birmingham offered to the NHS as an extra facility that could be used to treat covid-19 patients.
To support Acorns as it cares for some of the most vulnerable families caught up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, please visit www.acorns.org.uk/urgentappeal.
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
