Acorns Children’s Hospice has hit the road in striking style as part of an exciting project to celebrate its 30th birthday.

The charity’s unmissable bright orange 80s themed caravan has been touring cities and towns across the region collecting childhood memories from local people and is now heading to Walsall town centre on Thursday 22 September. Sarah Bowron, Acorns 30th Anniversary Campaign Manager, said:

“We want as many people as possible to drop by the caravan, which will be pitched in Park Street all day. Whether you want to share your thoughts and memories of Acorns, or whether you just want to tell us what it was like growing up in and around Birmingham, come and drop by.

"Tell us what you did? What TV programs you watched? What your favourite sweets were? We’re really looking forward to hearing what people say!"
 
The Acorns Story Box Project, made possible with £34,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will also see selected Acorns shops across the Midlands host drop-in sessions to collect stories, some of which will be included in a commemorative exhibition in early 2019. Sarah added:

“Thanks to this grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have been given the opportunity to preserve our fascinating history for future generations – and we want local people to get involved.

“As well as featuring some of the best interviews on our website, you may even get to feature in our commemorative exhibition at the end of the year alongside groundbreaking moments from our past. It’s an opportunity not to be missed!”
 
As part of the project, a team of dedicated staff and volunteers will also collect 30 oral history interviews with key individuals past and present who represent Acorns varied and remarkable family. 
 
Acorns provides a network of specialist care to children with life threatening and life limiting conditions, both within its three hospices, based in the Black Country, Birmingham and the Three Counties, and in family homes. It costs the charity nearly £10 million every year to provide its services and it relies on fundraising for the bulk of this amount.
 
For details of your nearest hospice shop drop-in session or to find out when the caravan will be coming to a town or city near you, visit acorns.org.uk/storybox.