In a ‘stunning victory’ for Acorns Children’s Hospice, more than 36,000 people backed the charity’s urgent petition to the Prime Minister to safeguard lifeline care for dying and seriously ill children.
Following months of campaigning and a huge outpouring of public support, today the Government confirmed a three-year, muti-million pound plan to provide much-needed funding for children’s hospices across England.
Trevor Johnson, Chief Executive for Acorns, said: “This is an incredible moment – a stunning victory for the children and families we support and the phenomenal community that always shows up for them and helps keep us going. The people spoke and the Government could not ignore us.
“Today, we celebrate the power of over 36,000 voices who came together for one simple mission; to give dying and seriously ill children the care they deserve. Care that can only be provided with sustainable funding support from the Government.
“Words cannot describe our deep gratitude to everyone who stood with us. Thanks to your unwavering support, families can now feel reassured instead of fearing uncertainty.
“Today’s announcement gives us the lifeline we needed. It means we can plan for the future with confidence and focus on what truly matters; making a positive difference for children with short lives.”
The announcement came just one day after the petition – containing a total of 36,718 names – was hand-delivered by hospice leaders to 10 Downing Street along with one-year old Harrison Grazier who depends on Acorns critical care.
Mum Georgia Pearson, who stood with Acorns and presented the petition to Government, said: “Acorns brings light to us. It gives us the chance to be a family. Without them, our dark times would have been so much darker. In presenting this petition we have been able to give Harrison a legacy.
“Knowing that this funding has been secured means families like ours can feel reassurance that the care we desperately need will be there for us – and we can focus on making every day with our children count.”
She added: “Thanks to Acorns and we’ve got a support network of such amazing people who provide expert care and treat Harrison like their own.
“I’m just so grateful to Acorns and for every day we have with Harrison, whether that’s for two years, or ten years, they give us a chance just to be a family.”
More than £26 million was received by children’s hospices in England from the Children’s Hospice Grant last year, with £2.2 million being given to Acorns. It was due to run out in just five months time and at a critical time in planning for the future.
The petition called for the Grant, or a sustainable equivalent, to be guaranteed for at least five years to ensure that heartbreaking decisions do not have to be made regarding the future of children’s hospice care.
Acorns was forced to launch the campaign in July and – to send the strongest possible message to the Prime Minister – created an emotional portrait of him made entirely using hundreds of handprints of children who are dying or seriously ill.
Titled ‘Hands for Hope’, the portrait was made with handprints created during art therapy sessions at Acorns hospices, which have now become a symbol for the campaign.
Trevor added: “Children’s hospices are not just places of care; they are places of life, love and memory. Behind every handprint is a story. Every handprint, every smile, every moment we share with a child is precious beyond words.
“That is what this petition stood for – the belief that every child’s life, no matter how short, should be filled with comfort, dignity, and joy. And for that to happen, this funding was vital.”
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 two thirds 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!
