A STUDLEY family are urging people to support the hospice that took care of their son during the last days of his life.
Joanne and Richard Harvey are the face of this year’s Acorns Christmas Appeal and their story centres around their son Joshua, who died after having a severe asthma attack just four days before Christmas in 2006.
The attack left young Joshua unconscious and although Joanne, who was at home with Joshua and his four-year-old brother Max, called an ambulance immediately, paramedics found he had suffered severe brain damaged due to a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Joshua survived over Christmas and into the New Year before going to Acorns Children’s Hospice where he sadly passed away.
Now ten years after Joshua’s tragic passing, the family are telling their story to encourage people to support the hospice – whether they expect to need its services or not.
“You just never know what could happen,” said Joanne.
“Joshua was a normal healthy boy – I never expected it to end the way it did.”
Joanne explained how she had seen Acorns many times, but never appreciated the importance of the work they do.
“I was born and raised in Bournville and used to walk past Acorns every day. I knew what it was but I never thought about it, I just took it for granted.
“I want people to know that it is an amazing place that does amazing work – but that it also needs support.
“We never expected to need Acorns, but it was there when we needed it and they showed us the most wonderful care and kindness.”
In the last year, Acorns has supported more than 840 children and 1,060 families, including those who are bereaved.
It costs £9.3 million a year to run and the charity relies heavily on the community to fund its activities.
“Our story is a sad one, but I hope it will encourage people to donate money to support Acorns, who so rely on the public for funding,” said Joanne.
“Nearly 10 years on, we are still able to go and talk to the staff and visit the memorial gardens.”
“Acorns simply understood,” dad Richard added.
“They had a natural empathy, were genuinely concerned and they understood what we were going through.
“The time we had with Joshua at Acorns was precious. Those last three days of Joshua’s life could have been totally different had it not been for Acorns.”
The family have been fundraising for the hospice for many years and have so far raised more than £50,000 for the charity.
Watch their video here https://youtu.be/2CRneNDjBZY and visit https://www.acorns.org.uk/christmasappeal/ to donate
