Acorns Hospice shares donations to support women and children amid virus outbreak
Essential items donated to Acorns Children's Hospice have been shared with a health trust after an "overwhelming" response to its appeal.
The hospice, which runs a facility in Walsall, received a "staggering" amount of donations – more than the charity could store, package and deliver.
And now the surplus items have been shared with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust's Partnering Families Team, which supports vulnerable women and children.
Sarah Brackwell, head of care at Acorns in the Black Country, 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."
Specialist teams at Acorns and the health trust has adapted their services to help the most vulnerable by delivering packages of toiletries, baby milk and food.
Jane Lawrence, manager of The Partnering Families Team, said: "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."
The children's charity is continuing to provide emergency and end of life hospice care – as well as emotional and practical support – to 600 families.
Acorns has also closed its hospice in Birmingham to make it available for the emergency coronavirus response, if needed.
For more information on how to help, visit www.acorns.org.uk/delivering-care
