It’s been tough but things are looking up for us once again (From Worcester News)

It’s been tough but things are looking up for us once again

9:40pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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MOST people would agree that helping life-limited children and their families is essential – but paying for it is still tough.

A massive 80 per cent of the £2 million it takes to run Acorns Children’s Hospice in Worcester must be found through fund-raising and via the hospice’s network of charity shops.

Only 20 per cent comes from statutory sources.

However, David Strudley, chief executive of Acorns children’s hospice trust, the charity behind the three hospices in Worcester, Selly Oak and Walsall, is hopeful that this amount will soon be increased to 30 per cent.

He said: “In 2010, it will rise to 25 per cent and in 2011, it will become 30 per cent.”

For the hospice in Bath Road, Worcester, that money will come mainly from Worcestershire PCT which, in return, will refer children needing specialist care to the hospice.

Mr Strudley said: “There is a commitment on both sides to increase the services and we’re delighted about that.”

The trust also runs 44 shops across the West Midlands, which accounts for 20 per cent of the charity’s annual income.

In Worcester, there is a shop in Mealcheapen Street and another in St Peter’s. Each has a manager and deputy manager and a band of 20 to 30 volunteers.

This year, Mr Strudley hopes the West Midlands shops will bring in £1 million to help the cause.

He said: “They mainly take clothing, bric-a-brac and books from local people. But we take absolutely anything.

“We are not fussy because there’s a tremendous recycling campaign going on. Last year, we made £300,000 in rag alone.”

Even so, the sums are simple – 50 per cent of Acorns’ running costs, which amounts to £4,500 a day for Acorns in Worcester alone, must come from donations.

That can be anything from the annual triple run at the Three Counties Showground to sponsored events like abseiling, treks and head shaves, as well as pocket money given by kind-hearted youngsters. The hospice also benefits from gifts in wills and donations received in lieu of flowers at funerals.

Every penny is welcome but the money given regularly through standing orders or direct debits – about £124,000 – is important because it helps the hospice to deliver consistent services.

As well as individuals, Acorns has received welcome support from organisations such as Aston Villa Football Club and Worcester Warriors.

Aston Villa, in particular, made history when they agreed to forfeit millions of pounds worth of sponsorship to sport the Acorns logo on their shirts.

The hospice does not receive cash from the deal but it has still been a very valuable partnership.

Mr Strudley estimates the publicity generated for Acorns and the team’s promotion of its brand is the equivalent of £250,000 a month worth of advertising. The deal has also led to players, staff and directors giving substantial donations.

Mr Strudley said Worcester Warriors rugby club had also been a tremendous support to the hospice, giving the charity access to facilities at Sixways while players regularly visit the children.

However, Mr Strudley said relying on donations was challenging, particularly in light of the recent recession.

He said: “It was horrendous. Back in 2008 we had a period of six weeks when our individual and corporate giving almost stopped completely.

“We lost a huge amount – nearly £1.5 million of funding. Although it was incredibly painful, we cut back on all areas to reduce costs.

“A year on, we are looking as if we are weathering the storm.This year, we are hopeful of doing a little bit more for our families.”

So what next for Acorns? Mr Strudley said: “Although we are reaching so many children at the moment, there’s an issue about how many more are out there.”

Currently, the Bath Road hospice caters for 155 children from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Of those, 71 come from Worcestershire and Acorns also offers support to 44 bereaved families.

Mr Strudley said: “We would expect to find another 80 children in Worcestershire who would be able to use our services.

“This is the ongoing campaign we are undertaking with the PCTs until we feel satisfied that we’ve reached every child with a life-limiting condition.

“It’s a seriously big challenge.”