With the Premier League still suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, local rivals Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers have teamed up to play a virtual derby in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The charity was due to benefit from a bucket collection at Villa’s now postponed home game against Wolves this Saturday (4 April). So instead, the Premiership clubs are helping Acorns and the families it supports by live-streaming a fundraising FIFA 20 match between Villa defender Ezri Konsaand Wolves forward Diogo Jota.
Zoe Baggott, Senior Manager for Area and Events at Acorns, said: “This is such a great idea and we’re so grateful that two of the biggest local clubs have come up with such a creative way to support Acorns!
“This weekend’s bucket collection at Villa Park would have raised so much in vital funds for Acorns. But this clever idea will give fans from both clubs the perfect opportunity to donate from the comfort of their homes and help Acorns work supporting families during what is a really scary time for them.”
The game, which will kick-off at 12.30pm, will be live streamed on AVTV and give viewers the chance to make a donation to Acorns.
All money raised will go towards Acorns and its work caring for some of the most vulnerable families caught up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
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 watch the live stream of Villa’s Ezri Konsa take on Wolves forward Diogo Jota in aid of Acorns, visit https://video.avfc.co.uk
Text ACORNS5 to 70456 to give £5 or visit www.acorns.org.uk/villa-wolves to donate.
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
