A VITAL charity headquartered in Wythall has shared its gratitude to Bromsgrove’s MP for joining its corner in a fight to secure continued government funding to aid its services.
Acorns Hospice is at risk of losing its share of The Children’s Hospice Grant, worth £2million to Acorns annually, if the government decides to stop the support.
The charity has launched a campaign, receiving almost 11,000 signatures to a petition, calling for the government to take action and ensure NHS England continues to receive the £25million fund.
Bradley Thomas MP has chipped in with the campaign, writing to the Chancellor urging her to protect and maintain the grant as a directly distributed, ringfenced fund.
A spokesperson for Acorns Hospice told the Standard: “We are very grateful to Bradley for highlighting this urgent issue.
“The grant is a significant proportion of our income. Without it, hundreds of local families across the region face an uncertain future.
“Unless the grant is confirmed, Acorns, and many other hospices nationwide will be forced to make difficult decisions about cutting services.”
In total, the grant is worth £25million to hospices across England and accounts for around 13 per cent of Acorns’ annual income.
For Acorns to continue, the vast majority of the remaining income the charity needs comes from fundraising and profits from charity shops.
Mr Thomas said: “It’s unthinkable the most in need children could be turned away if the government doesn’t maintain the grant.
“The Chancellor must guarantee this vital funding which will allow Acorns and hospices across the country to be there for every child and family who needs them.
“I will continue to work with Acorns and do everything I can to get the Government to maintain the grant.”
The MP and hospice are also calling on the government to guarantee the grant for at least five years and increase it by the rate of inflation every year.
An Acorns spokesperson added: “Thousands have signed the petition because they recognise the care provided by Acorns must be protected at all costs.
“Otherwise we risk leaving some of the most vulnerable in our community completely on their own. The children and families we care for deserve better.”
Visit acorns.org.uk/what-we-do/campaign for more information.
