THE parents of a Worcestershire toddler who died from a rare brain tumour have spoken out about the crucial role Acorns Children's Hospice played in their lives.

Alun and Sarah Edwards, whose daughter Catrin died in August, a month before her second birthday, have dubbed staff at the charity "amazing".

"The last 12 months have been an emotional rollercoaster, but the one constant thing in our lives has been the care and support offered by Acorns," said Mr Edwards.

Catrin spent much of her life in Birmingham Children's Hospice and her parents regularly travelled there from their home in Honeybourne, near Evesham.

"It got to the point where we desperately needed a break - just some time to be a normal family and spend more time with our three-year-old son Ethan,'' added Mr Edwards. ''So we looked into the possibility of respite care.

"Then our hospital-at-home nurse from Worcester Royal Infirmary told us about the children's hospice at Selly Oak."

Mrs Edwards admitted the couple were dreading the long trek to Selly Oak.

"I really didn't want to go through that again, but once we'd seen the Acorns hospice for ourselves, we knew it was a very special place," she said.

"We felt that finally we had found people whose sole reason for being there was to help families like us."

Catrin was in the Selly Oak hospice for a routine stay when her condition deteriorated dramatically.

"Cati was drifting in and out of consciousness and we knew we didn't have much time left with her," said Mrs Edwards.

"Because Acorns has family accommodation our whole family - grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins - were able to visit and stay over.

"At one point there were 10 of us and the staff were amazing. They made us meals, sandwiches, whatever we needed, day or night."

She revealed that a nurse was on hand to give Catrin one-to-one care and sat up with her all night as her condition worsened.

"This time together was so important as both our families live in Wales and for them to visit just during the day would have been impossible," she added.

"It meant we could all be together during Cati's last few precious days.

"If we'd been at home we just wouldn't have had the space for our family to stay or the time to have looked after them."

She praised the Acorns care team for bringing a glimmer of normality into their lives, especially for Ethan.

"We could crash out in the family flat, or go to the dining room and all sit together round the table for a meal. Acorns thought of everything," she added.

"They prepared special food for Cati as she couldn't eat very much because of allergies and even tracked down her favourite teddy bear crisps. It's little things like that that really matter."

Jan Large, one of two Acorns community support workers covering the three counties area, has helped support the Edwards family both during Catrin's illness and after her death.

"Jan keeps in touch with us regularly," said Mrs Edwards.

"We can contact her whatever the time of day or night and know she's there for us."

Catrin's courage and determination have prompted many family members and friends to take-up fund-raising challenges.

Friend Dr Tom Morgan has completed a gruelling 1102m cycle ride from Land's End to John O'Groats and raised more than £1,600 for the charity's Three Counties Appeal, which aims to build and equip a new hospice in Worcester's Bath Road.

"I passed the finishing line with mixed emotions - huge relief in having got to the end and also with overwhelming sadness as I had learned only the day before that Catrin had died," he said.

Mr Edwards revealed a collection at the memorial service had raised £1,500 for Acorns.

"I would urge anyone to consider contributing to the Three Counties Appeal for an Acorns hospice to be built in Worcester," he added.

"It will make all the difference to families like us."

Drumming up support for new building

A CHARITY shop is hoping to drum up much-needed funds to help build a new children's hospice in Worcester.

The Acorns shop at 127 High Street, Bromsgrove, has been given a professional drum kit to sell and the cash will go to the charity's Three Counties Appeal to build and equip a new hospice on Worcester's Bath Road.

The full-size REMO Soundmaster kit includes three drums and a bass drum, along with three cymbals.

Perfect

"It's in very good condition and would be the perfect Christmas present for a budding drummer," said shop manager Kay Lamb.

"Although we have had the musical instruments donated in the past, this is the first time we have had a drum kit.

"It's a very generous donation and should raise a lot of money for the new hospice appeal.

"The drum kit is on sale for £350, a fraction of the price it would cost to buy a similar kit from new."

The shop also boasts a range of Acorns Christmas cards and many other festive present ideas.

Christmas 'quid for a kid' day

A NEW fund-raising campaign has been launched to raise cash for Acorns Children's Hospice Trust.

Wyvern FM has launched a "Christmas Quid for a Kid" day encouraging listeners to hand over cash for the charity.

The station is urging city workers to hand over at least £1 to the charity when the event is staged, on Friday, December 13.

The company that raises the most cash will be treated to its own party at Fownes Hotel on City Walls Road.

Le Mango nightclub, in Angel Place, is holding an office party night on Christmas Eve, with all proceeds from the door going to the campaign.

The money will be handed over to the charity's Three Counties Appeal, which aims to raise £4m to build and equip a new children's hospice on Worcester's Bath Road.

Listeners are invited to call Wyvern FM's Action Desk on 01905 29595 or 01432 344414 or e-mail christmasquid@koko.com and tell staff about any planned fund-raising events.