Welcome to the latest edition of the Together Newsletter
We know Christmas might feel like it’s ages away, but we’ve got lots of exciting upcoming events and fundraising ideas that we
couldn’t wait to share with you.
Whether you choose to get involved in Acorns Precious Gifts or our Santa Run, there are plenty of ways to show your support this Christmas.
With your support we can continue to make a real difference for local life limited or life threatened children and their families.
I have been at Acorns for a year now, and have seen first-hand the incredible commitment of our staff, volunteers and supporters in ensuring we are here to provide the best possible care and support for families. As we approach our 30th anniversary year, we must continue to listen to our families, understand their needs and tailor our responses. With responsiveness, we will continue to develop as a charity and continue to make a real difference to children and families in great need.
In many cases, Acorns is the only place where families can turn to for the support they need – whether it’s emotional and practical support from our Family Team and support groups, or for provision of a safe, happy place for their child to visit and stay, allowing parents to have some well-needed rest. Life without Acorns for many families would simply be unthinkable.
Thank you for your continued support; this Christmas we once again highlight the importance of our care services for children and families across the region through our Precious Gifts campaign. The testimonies of our families are proof of the value of this, whether it is the gift of time, support or care. I encourage you to share this with your friends and family, to help enable us to keep giving these precious gifts to our children and families.
However you choose to support us in the run up to Christmas, whether it is taking part in our Santa Run, Christmas jumper day or one of our other festive fundraising activities, thank you on behalf of every one of the children and families that we are so proud to serve at Acorns.
Toby Porter
Chief Executive
Precious Gifts
At this time of year in particular, the multitude of care and support services we provide to children and families can be seen as a series of precious gifts.
Whether it’s giving a family time to relax or supporting them throughout their child’s life, we are their for families when they need it, in a variety of ways.
“Acorns has always provided the best possible support for me and my family and they’ve done this in so many different ways” Rachel, Sibling and Young Ambassador.
Festive fundraising ideas
This Christmas we’re asking you to support Acorns and get involved in our Precious Gifts campaign by taking part in a festive fundraiser. Be as creative as you like, to help get you started we’ve got some fun ideas below…
- Ask your school, community group, local pub or workplace to hold a Christmas jumper day in return for a small donation
- Pop into one of our shops for some secret Santa inspiration
- Request one of our Christmas posters instead of sending Christmas cards this year
- Theme your Carol concert, party or fete around our Precious Gifts campaign
Other ways to get involved
We couldn’t do what we do without the help from supporters like you. It costs nearly £10 million a year to run our care services and we rely heavily on the local community to fund the majority of our activities.
If you’re a business, there are lots of ways that you can support us, see below to find out more.
Pay for a Day
At Acorns we understand that family time is precious when a child’s life is limited, and we support families in any way we can to create lasting memories.
Pay for a Day is your opportunity to pay for 24 hours of care at one of our hospices, making a real difference to the children we care for, and their families.
You can support Pay for a Day by making a donation, fundraising or encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to take part in Acorns events to raise money. To find out more about how you can take part click here
Sponsorship opportunities
If you’re a business there’s a range of opportunities to partner with Acorns through sponsorship of high profile events and key publications. We can offer you an effective and visible way of meeting your corporate social responsibility policy aims, whilst also
providing great opportunities for PR and promotion of your company.
As we approach our 30th anniversary we have a wide range of unique sponsorship opportunities, from our flagship outdoor events such as the Bubble Rush and Santa Run and some new exciting events for 2018. We have the high profile activities that can give your company great brand exposure.
For more information about our sponsorship opportunities, contact our Corporate team on corporatefun@acorns.org.uk or call
01564 825 000.
In our shops
Gain valuable work experience and develop new skills through our shops. Any time you can give is really appreciated.
“I love the job and we’re a real family here.”
In our hospices
Enjoy knowing that you’re making a real difference to local children and their families. This could be through befriending, offering
practical support in the home or housekeeping.
“To go home at the end of the day knowing that you may have put a smile on a child or parent’s face makes every minute of volunteering worthwhile.”
In our head office
Have fun supporting our head office teams. From marketing to finance there are a variety of roles to suit.
In fundraising
Build confidence, make new friends and take part in a variety of activities in your local community.
“As a volunteer I do a wide range of things which include bucket collections, organising events such as bingo nights and marshalling at events.”
Santa Run
This year’s Santa Run is back at two great location for some festive fundraising fun!
This year marks a special celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Santa Run in Birmingham and the return of the event to Walsall. So why not get together with family, friends, colleagues (and pet pooches) and take part?
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2nd December – Cannon Hill Park
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3rd December – Walsall Arboretum
Whether you’re a speedy Santa or prefer a more leisurely pace we’ve got two routes to suit. Plus National Sea Life Centre Birmingham are offering FREE entry to all our Santa runners!
Remember a loved one with a Tribute Fund
Giving a gift in memory of a loved is a very personal and special way to remember them. By opening a Tribute Fund, which includes an option to create an online tribute page, you can remember, share and celebrate their life with family and friends ensuring their legacy lives on.
“As grieving parents I felt we needed a platform to channel our sorrow and feelings through, and to us the online tribute facility by Acorns was the perfect platform. My husband was able to inspire others and raise funds for Acorns through Nafeesah’s tribute page by linking to our friends and family. The tribute page was a beautiful way to share our sorrow with everyone and to read their comments full of encouragement and love.”
Sofia, mum
Make a Will Month
This October you can support vital care services for a child like Arthur, by taking advantage of our FREE and exclusive Make a Will Month will writing scheme in partnership with law firms from across the region.
“Like many people, my husband and I put off making a will although we did talk about it from time to time. The process itself was very straightforward and not nearly as complicated as we first thought.” Anne, Acorns supporter.
For more information or if you have any questions please contact our Legacy Officer on 01564 825 039 or email legacies@acorns.org.uk
Become a regular giver
Your regular gift will help us be there when children need us, now and in the future
Regular giving is an amazing way you can support Acorns. It helps us to budget and plan efficiently for the future. Regular gifts of whatever you can afford enable you to make a significant long term difference.
How your money could help
£5 per month could help us provide specialist therapies for life limited children such as hydrotherapy and physiotherapy
£10 per month could help us provide short breaks and respite care for families in one of our hospices.
£15 per month could help pay for a specialist nurse to provide vital care in the family home through our outreach services.