A bubbly outgoing toddler is walking on air after clocking up more than 45 miles for Acorns Children’s Hospice – raising over £340 for local families.
Macauley Walker-Breen has been doing his bit during lockdown to support Acorns and help fund its work caring for children and families.
The 22-month-old and his mum Abbie set out to walk 20 miles throughout June and raise £200. But 10 days into the challenge the Rubery residents smashed both the distance and their fundraising target.
So, with a spring in their step, the duo continued their daily strolls and the funds kept rolling in.
Abbie said: “Macauley has absolutely loved it – it’s not me dragging him out the house. He’s got such a happy bubbly character, he just loves being out and running around.
“We’ve been going out as far as he can each day and having a little picnic. He knows he’s been walking to raise money and that the money is to help children.”
Abbie and her family are big supporters of Acorns holding regular fundraisers to support the charity. Every year Abbie’s brother Darren asks friends and family for donations to Acorns in lieu of presents.
The 29-year-old, who even has a hoodie printed for her son to help raise awareness among passersby, explained: “My brother Darren has Asperger’s and he gets really passionate about certain things and one thing he’s really passionate about is Acorns.
“We have raised money for Acorns before with bake sales and things and on his birthday, rather than gifts, Darren asks people to donate to Acorns. It seemed perfect because Macauley is only 22 months and it’s a children’s charity. So, it just really meant something.”
Izzie Goodwin, Fundraising Officer for Acorns, said: “Macauley is one of the youngest and most adorable fundraisers we have, which just goes to show it’s never too early to start supporting Acorns.
“It’s wonderful to see how much he’s been the challenge and we’re thrilled to hear he beat both his target distance and fundraising amount. This money he has raised will go directly to local children and families who rely on Acorns care and support.”
Amid the current challenges facing the nation, Acorns is continuing to provide emergency and end of life hospice care as well as emotional and practical support to hundreds of families who are in strict isolation at home.
In March, the charity published its emergency response for Covid-19, prioritising care for the most vulnerable children and their families and setting aside its hospice in the Black Country for children from local hospitals with complex care needs to help acute trusts maximise their intensive care capability.
As well as this, the charity temporarily closed its hospice in Birmingham and offered the facility for use in the emergency response.
Acorns needs the support of the community and local businesses as much as ever as it continues to care for some of the region’s most vulnerable families and support the NHS.
To find out how you can stand with Acorns as it continues to care for some of the most vulnerable children and families in the community, please visit www.acorns.org.uk/together
Stand with us as we continue to care for children and families
Boredom Busters
Staying at home doesn’t have to be dull! Check out our family activity pack.
Give a donation
Help fund vital emergency and end of life care across our three hospices.
Set up a regular gift
Setting up a regular donation will help us continue caring throughout this uncertain time.
Boredom Beats
We’re making the best Spotify playlist – and YOU choose the songs!
Virtual events
Up for a challenge? Take part in an event from the comfort of your own home.
Virtual bucket collection
Whilst we can’t be out doing bucket collections, hold a virtual collection instead!
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
- To find out how Acorns has responded to the current coronavirus pandemic, please visit acorns.org.uk/coronavirus
