Today (Saturday 20 September) across the West Midlands, a powerful message is taking to the road as Acorns Children’s Hospice ramps up its fight to save vital Government funding for children’s hospice care.

A truck bearing the striking portrait of the Prime Minister – created entirely from the orange handprints of children with life limiting and life threatening conditions and cared for by Acorns – is touring the region, urging the Government to safeguard the future of children’s hospice services.

The evocative artwork, titled Hands for Hope, was first unveiled outside the Houses of Parliament in July to launch Acorns urgent campaign. Now, the image has returned to Acorns home region, as the charity continues to rally public support and press its plea directly to the Prime Minister.

Without sustainable Government funding, Acorns fears it may be forced to turn away a seriously ill child for the first time in its 37-year history.

Trevor Johnson, Chief Executive at Acorns, said: “Like Acorns, all children’s hospices are facing extreme financial pressures – but the need for our services has never been greater. Demand for end-of-life care at Acorns has almost doubled in the past year, as more families rely on our specialist care more than ever before.

“The Hands for Hope tour across the West Midlands is a reminder that the future of children’s hospice care is in the Prime Minister’s hands. We need the Government to act now and guarantee long-term, sustainable funding so that no child or family is ever denied the vital care they need.”

The artwork, featuring hundreds of handprints made during art therapy sessions at Acorns hospices, is a symbol of the children and families behind the campaign.

Trevor added: “These handprints aren’t just a piece of art. They represent lives, memories, and the unique bond we share with every child we care for. Our message is simple: without this funding, heartbreaking decisions will have to be made. With it, we can continue to provide lifeline care and support to hundreds of families across the region.”

The Children’s Hospice Grant, worth £26 million to children’s hospices across England and £2.2 million to Acorns, is due to end in March 2026, with no commitment from the Government to extend or replace it.

Acorns is urging the public to back its campaign by raising their hand, sharing the message on social media, and signing up for a free Save the Grant window sticker at savethegrant.com.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, and support for their families.

In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 780 children across the West Midlands, and supported over 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved. Children visit Acorns for rehabilitative respite, symptom management, emergency and end-of-life care.

This care and support is provided from Acorns three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and in the community.

Acorns needs around £35,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with more than 70% of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.

Join Acorns fight to save the Children’s Hospice Grant. Pledge your support at savethegrant.com now!

ENDS

For more information or for interview, photograph or filming opportunities, contact the PR and Communications team:
Nicki Robinson: 07814 302153 / nicki.robinson@acorns.org.uk
Paul Kemp: 07816 267939 / paul.kemp@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.

About Acorns Children’s Hospice

Acorns Children’s Hospice is the only children’s hospice for the West Midlands.

The charity’s highly-specialist nursing teams provide palliative care to babies, children and young people aged 0 to 18 years with life limiting or life threatening conditions.

Acorns offers a wide range of vital services for children, including rehabilitative respite, pain and symptom management, emergency care, end-of-life care and care after death. Every aspect of this care is tailored to the needs of each individual child, encompassing their medical, emotional, cultural, religious and spiritual needs. Care is delivered within Acorns three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, in the community and in family homes.
          
The charity’s dedicated teams not only provide clinical care for children and young people, but also a range of psychosocial services for the whole family, including bereavement support, emotional support, advocacy and a number of dedicated groups for mums, dads, grandparents, brothers and sisters. 
It costs £35,000 every day to run Acorns services, providing vital care for children and support for their families when its needed most. The charity relies heavily on donations and the profits from its network of charity shops for 72% of these funds.

Acorns is a UNICEF Rights Respecting organisation (Gold award), recognising the  charity’s commitment to the Rights of the Child.

To find out more about Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk