A Black Country charity has launched a fundraising appeal from the point of view of a teenager who uses its services. 

Acorns Children’s Hospice, which operates a hospice in Walsall alongside others around the region, hopes to raise £13,000 from the appeal, towards its vital work caring for life limited and life threatened children and support for their families. 

14 year old Ellie Cartwright has a rare form of muscular dystrophy which she says prevents her from joining in lots of activities with her friends. But thanks to the specialist services and support Ellie receives from Acorns, her confidence has grown.

Now, the teenager is asking members of the public to support the Acorns campaign and raise funds towards the charity’s care and teenagers like her in similar situations. Ellie said:

“If I didn’t have Acorns I wouldn’t be where I am today. That’s why I’m supporting this appeal and asking members of the public to give young people like me the opportunities I have had, and help make them feel less alone.”

The appeal asks supporters to donate towards Acorns and its work, which includes crucial youth groups and adolescent services which help reduce isolation and enable life limited and life threatened young people to lead as full a life as possible. Ellie is from Wolverhampton and has been using Acorns and its services for the past three years. She added:

“It’s good to talk about what worries me with people who understand. My mum says my confidence has grown since I started visiting Acorns.

“It makes her happy that I now go out by myself and have people to talk to and hang out with. Mum can relax when I go there as she knows they will look after me just like she does. They keep me safe and are there if I need anything.”

Acorns, which in the past year has cared for 74 children across Walsall and 88 families, including those who are bereaved, needs to raise nearly £10 million each year to continue, and it relies on fundraising for the bulk of that amount. Naz Wardle-Bi, Adolescent Worker at Acorns, said:

“The Adolescent Service at Acorns is so important to teenagers like Ellie. We offer young people the chance to meet others in similar situations; who face some of the same challenges.

“These services offer vital support to teenagers, boosting their mental health and wellbeing as well as their confidence – but we need your help to continue providing them. So please donate to help our work and young people like Ellie.”

To donate to the Acorns fundraising appeal, please visit acorns.org.uk/ellie.