Ex-Goodyear workers hand £21k to Acorns children's hospice
Children and families from across the Black Country are set to benefit thanks to a generous £21,000 donation from former Goodyear workers to Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent scheme has donated the impressive amount to refurbish the multi-sensory therapy room at the charity’s hospice, Acorns in the Black Country, which is based in Walsall.
Deputy Head Nurse at Acorns, Carmel Forrest, said: “We are really overwhelmed and delighted to accept this wonderful donation from the benevolent scheme and a huge thank you to all the former employees whose generosity has helped make this possible.
“Multisensory therapy is an important part of work - using a combination of light, sound and touch for stimulation and relaxation. This type of therapy is really beneficial to the life limited children and young people we care for, so the donation will make a real difference.”
The Benevolent scheme was established following the closure of the Wolverhampton Goodyear Tyre factory in 2015, from what was the workers’ sick pay fund. The scheme is currently supporting over 40 different charity projects in Wolverhampton and the black country.
Cyril Barrett, Chairman of the 5/344 Transport and General Workers union Benevolent fund, said: “When the opportunity came to support Acorns Children’s Hospice, the Trustees and management committee were only too delighted to get involved. This charity fits everything that we are all about.
“This is one project we’re particularly pleased to be supporting; it supports the children and families and Acorns staff who do what we believe to be a wonderful job. It’s part of a proud living legacy to our communities in Wolverhampton and the Black Country who were members of the scheme since 1985.”
In the past year Acorns has provided care to more than 870 children and over 1090 families, including those who are bereaved.
It costs Acorns nearly £10 million every year to continue providing its services and it relies on fundraising and voluntary donations for the majority of this amount.
