An overwhelming number of donations made to an appeal by Acorns Children’s Hospice will help even more vulnerable families caught up in the coronavirus crisis than those supported by the charity. 

Acorns Hospice in the Black Country received so many generous donations over one weekend of essential items for families isolating at home, that the charity simply couldn’t store, package and deliver it all to those in need.
 
So, in a heart-warming display of unity in the fight against Covid-19, Acorns shared the surplus with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust's Partnering Families Team based at The Gem Centre which supports some of the most vulnerable women and children in Wolverhampton. Sarah Brackwell, Head of Care at Acorns in the Black Country based in Walsall, said:

“It comes as no surprise that yet again the Black Country community is pulling out all the stops to help us as continue caring for children and families during this national health emergency. A staggering amount of donations were made to the hospice last week and while we are truly grateful for this incredible generosity, it was more than we could manage.

"So, it seemed only right that at a time when the most vulnerable in our community are struggling to get the essential items they need, we should help families supported by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. 
 
“This doesn’t mean we won’t need the public’s help in the weeks to come, we need your support now more than ever so, please continue to donate essential items for Acorns care packages.”
 
Both Acorns and the Trust have adapted their services in response to the deepening coronavirus crisis. This includes specialist teams identifying families who may be vulnerable, cut off or isolated and providing much-needed care packages of essentials such as toiletries, baby milk and food. 
Jane Lawrence, Manager of The Partnering Families Team at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, added:

“We were completely overwhelmed by the donations of nappies, baby formula, toiletries and food parcels. We work with some of the most vulnerable women in Wolverhampton and they struggle normally but this is heightened during the current Covid-19 pandemic.


“We will ensure they receive the items they need over the coming days and weeks when we complete our home visits to them and we will also do some doorstep drops to others. A massive thank you to Sarah and the team at Acorns for thinking of us.”
 
Amid the current challenges facing the nation, Acorns is continuing to provide emergency and end of life hospice care as well as emotional and practical support to 600 families who are strictly isolating at home, while caring for a life limited or life-threatened child. 

Acorns is also supporting NHS colleagues in the crisis, welcoming children from local hospitals with complex care needs to help acute trusts maximise their intensive care capability. For the first time in its 30-year history, Acorns has temporarily closed its hospice in Birmingham and made it available for the emergency coronavirus response.



For more details on how you can help Acorns provide care packages for the children and families it supports, please visit acorns.org.uk/delivering-care.