Great Barr Schoolgirl sells lemonade to fund Acorn Hospice

Abigail Gill, who is eight and lives in Great Barr, selflessly took time out of her school holidays to raise cash for the struggling hospice by setting up a homemade lemonade stand.

Not only did Abigail make the lemonade alongside her mother Rebecca Pemberton, but also got creative in making her own colourful signs and stand to attract customers.

The refreshments offered by Abigail went down well as she and her mother worked all day from 8am to 6pm in an effort to gain donations.

How you can donate:

• Text ACORNS5 to 70025 to donate £5*

• Text ACORNS10 to 70025 to donate £10*

• Visit acorns.org.uk/appeal

• Phone: 01564 825 037

• *With texts you will be charged your donation, plus your standard network rate. Acorns receives at least 98 per cent of your donation as it will incur a two per cent admin charge for this service. By texting, you are agreeing for Acorns to phone or text you to tell you about our work and how you can help. If you wish to donate and not hear from Acorns again, text ACORNS5 NO to 70025. For more information call 01564 825 037. Acorns Children’s Hospice registered charity no: 700859.

In total, the mother and daughter team raised more than £300, all of which went to the hospice on Tuesday to aid their fight against being shut down.

Rebecca said: "We were overwhelmed with how many people stopped and donated even the smallest amount from £1 to £20!

"We were more overwhelmed with the total this little girl raised in a day selling her lemonade and went to donate today to Acorns!"

Noel Cramer, director of supporter engagement at Acorns added: "It’s wonderful to see so many people across the community getting behind our Black Country Appeal.

"Our supporters have always been some of the most creative when it comes to finding new and innovative ways to raise money for Acorns and Abbey is no exception.

"She not only proves you can be any age to support Acorns, but her lemonade stand shows you can even raise money from your own home. We hope her event inspires other young people to join the Appeal. Thank you, Abbey!”

Acorn Hospice in Walsall received a funding boost from the NHS last month, which ensured it will remain open until the end of March 2020, but is still facing a battle to ensure its stays open for the foreseeable future.

To save the hospice from closure, £2 million must be raised.