Today, the SJL Foundation, established in June 2019, has donated £10,000 to Acorns Children’s Hospice in response to Acorns launching emergency plans in reaction to the deepening coronavirus pandemic to help some of the most vulnerable families in the region and directly support the NHS Coronavirus Covid-19 plans.
Acorns is caring for around 600 families who are self-isolating at home providing packages of food and essentials as well as emotional support at a very scary time. Acorns has also temporarily closed its Birmingham-based hospice to offer the facility as a Covid-19 facility for patients of any age.
Acorns in the Black Country, the charity’s hospice based in Walsall, will be available for children with complex medical needs currently being looked after in local hospitals, providing a safe environment for those children whilst helping the NHS maximise their own intensive care capability.
Acorns in the Three Counties, based in Worcester, is continuing to provide end of life care, as well as being a temporary home to children meeting Acorns’ medical criteria, but who are not able to be looked after at home at the present time, or have no home to go to.
Simon Lancaster, Founder and Trustee of the SJL Foundation said: “We saw Toby Porter, the Chief Executive, of Acorns Children’s Hospice’s appeal for donations for his emergency plans for Acorns to join in the fight against Coronavirus by supporting vulnerable families and the NHS and we wanted to help.
“We fundraised for Acorns in many ways from quizzes for staff at SJL Insurance, fancy dress parties to black tie balls so I want to thank each and every one of our fundraisers and every penny of donations that have enabled us to donate to Acorns this week. The circumstances of the children’s health have not changed, and so I encourage other people to donate too right now if they still have the means.”
Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Acorns Children’s Hospice, said: “We are hugely grateful for this wonderful donation from SJL and to all the fantastic staff at the company who have pulled together to raise such a fantastic amount.
“The money raised will go directly towards our vital work in the crisis effort as we reach out to the numerous local families who need our support now more than ever and our support of NHS colleagues through our offering of skills, expertise and facilities.
“This expression of generosity from SJL is the perfect example of how the crisis has brought out some of the best in our local communities as we all pull together and play our part in overcoming this crisis.”