A CHANCE meeting led to a kindly gift for an Acorns boy and a donation of thousands of pounds to the hospice.

Acorns’ supporters Roy Bacon and John Collins were walking across an aqueduct in Llangollen, Wales, as part of a fund-raising Bumble Cruise, organised by The Three Kings Inn, Hanley Castle, when they came across a couple who asked them why they were in fancy dress.

The pair explained that they were raising money for Acorns in Worcester and then found out that John and Jenny Varley were grandparents of three-year-old Joseph Newton, a Cheltenham child who is cared for by the charity. Mr and Mrs Varley donated all the money they had on them – £22 – to Mr Bacon and Mr Collins who in return donated their mascot, Bumble Bee, to Joseph, who has hydrocephalus.

His mum Liz Newton said: “It was unbelievable that mum and dad were on holiday and met someone from Acorns.”

Fellow Bumble Cruise fund-raiser Steve Coyne said: “Roy and John were dressed in dinner jackets as the Gout Brothers and this couple approached them and asked what time the band started – and then discovered they were supporting Acorns. They were amazed to meet them there.

“Everyone had a really good time. It was a brilliant weekend, which raised more than £4,500.”

The Three Kings is also organising a fete and a ball in September to support its fund-raising for Acorns and commemorate 100 years of the Three Kings being in the care of the Roberts family.

Carole Crowe, Acorns’ community fund-raising manager, said: “The Three Kings team are really buzzing with the Bumble Cruise and well on their way to their year’s target to raise a tremendous £10,000 to support the care of life-limited children.

“This is much needed as it costs £7,500 per day to run each of Acorns’ three children’s hospices. We care for nearly 600 children. There is no charge to families for using the services, but it does cost £750 per day for each child’s care and Acorns relies on donations, such as this, for the majority of its income.”

To find out more about the work of Acorns Children’s Hospice call 0845 120 6892 or visit acorns.org.uk.