A staggering \u00a3100k donation from a former member of staff has given a huge boost to an urgent fundraising appeal launched by Acorns Children\u2019s Hospice.<\/p>\n
Erica Brown, who left the charity in 2009 – donated the significant amount to the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice <\/i>Appeal, which aims to raise \u00a32 million to save Acorns hospice in Walsall – following an inheritance from her mother.<\/p>\n
The generous donor, 69, who lives in Droitwich, visited the hospice (Tuesday 6 August) to officially unveil the gift to staff and volunteers.<\/p>\n
Explaining why she chose Acorns, Erica said: \u201cHaving worked for Acorns I know the support the charity gives to children and families across the region is an absolute and utter lifeline to all of them. Whether that support is in the home, the community, or within the hospice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcorns not only enables children to have a \u2018good death\u2019 at the end of their life, but is able to continue supporting families – including parents, siblings and grandparents – who are all grappling with some of the most challenging and difficult things that anybody can imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having forged a career as a primary school teacher, Erica became a bereaved parent following the loss of twins – Jonathan and Juliet – who died of a life limiting condition in 1973.<\/p>\n
Vowing to commit her life to working for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions, Erica moved into the children\u2019s palliative care sector and after various roles in special needs education, joined Acorns as Head of Research in 1999.<\/p>\n
Erica added: \u201cAlthough I\u2019ve continued to fundraise, support Acorns and work for them in various ways, I\u2019ve never ever been able to feel that I\u2019ve made a real difference like I can make a difference now.<\/p>\n
\u201cSupporting this Appeal enables me to do something that I would never have been able to do if my parents hadn\u2019t left me a legacy. They worked hard all their lives and were very careful with their money. It\u2019s thanks to them that I\u2019ve been able to do this, and I know they would give me their blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toby Porter, Acorns Chief Executive, said: \u201cWe are truly overwhelmed by Erica\u2019s incredible generosity towards Acorns and this Appeal. This gift is a significant step in helping us secure the long term future for families across the Black Country who rely on the vital care from our Walsall hospice.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing her own very personal experiences, Erica has committed her life to serving children with life limiting and life threatening conditions and their families, as well as the organisations that support them. This donation reflects how much Erica understands the true impact organisations like Acorns have to those who need us.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of all the staff, volunteers, children, young people and families at Acorns – a huge heartfelt thank you to Erica. Her legacy will be felt for many years to come through the lives of countless people across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Save Acorns Black Country Children\u2019s Hospice <\/i>Appeal follows a commitment of significant new NHS funding from Black Country healthcare commissioners and an earlier announcement by NHS England that they would double their central funding support to the country\u2019s children\u2019s hospices over the next five years.<\/p>\n
The appeal sets out to raise \u00a32 million to towards the Walsall hospice \u2013 which the charity had proposed for closure – until the full amount of new Government funding is reached.<\/p>\n