ACORNS hospice is here thanks to the hard work of the fund-raising public - but the tireless efforts are by no means over.

The charity needs to continue raising money to ensure the facility can remain open. And with less than 10 per cent of funding coming from statutory sources, it is relying on kind-hearted county residents to continue showing their support.

The hospice will cost an incredible £4,500 a day to run - more than £1.6m a year.

Fran Winterbourn, fund-raising manager for Acorns, knows just how difficult a task finding the cash is.

"When I think about it, the people out there have been fantastic at fund-raising. I don't think of it as Acorns' hospice, it belongs to the community because the community has made it happen.

"I think the people of Worcester have really taken it to their hearts."

But she urged the public to continue to help raise the millions of pounds needed.

"We've reached a stage now that we've got this far, but I would say please, please, please, help us keep this open," she said.

"To run this place we need so much help.

"If there's anyone that hasn't fund-raised before and was thinking about it, we still need them.

"Whether it be people who organise large-scale collections or organising coffee mornings, every little bit helps.

"The running it is now the reality, and that's the difficult bit."

One way of helping is by donating money in memory of a departed loved one - helping to keep their memory alive at the same time.

The Acorns Daisy Chain Tribute Fund offers you a chance to set up a special fund in the memory of your loved one.

Their name is put in a book of remembrance and if the fund reaches £250 or more, a tree will be planted in the Acorns Memorial Wood, in Upper Arley, near Bewdley.

The trees will be a lasting memorial, with the name of the loved ones being remembered being engraved on a plaque situated at the entrance of the wood.

Sadie Lewis, a patron of Acorns who has been helped by the charity after her son's death, said: "Flowers are beautiful but they are temporary.

"Donating money to Acorns in memory of our son has celebrated his life and changed the lives of other children and families."

Anyone who wants to make a donation of any kind can contact Acorns Children's Hospice on 01386 554848, visit www.acorns.org.uk, or fill in this coupon here.