TV stars were in attendance for the grand opening of the project at Acorns Children’s Hospice in Fullbrook, Walsall.
It took eight months to complete and will provide staff and families with a happy and homely environment where children can experience all kinds of great activities, meet new friends, or relax and enjoy some quiet time.
It is also a sign of confidence in the future and comes just five years after the centre looked set to close because of a funding shortfall. It was only saved after a £2 million appeal, which was backed by the Express & Star.
TV gardener David Domoney opens the newly transformed Centred Garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall. He is pictured with Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications, and Chairman Boyd Douglas-Davies, both from Greenfingers Charity.
The garden was opened by TV gardener David Domoney, the resident gardener on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ and co-presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden, as well as Linda Petrons and Boyd Douglas-Davies from Greenfingers Charity.
The newly transformed Centred Garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall.
Along with Acorns representatives, the landscaper team and designers and other volunteers, the garden was officially opened at 11am yesterday. Earlier this year, the chief executive of the charity, which also has sites in Birmingham and Worcester, called on the government to guarantee long-term funding for children’s hospices, and said it was in danger of its funding running out. The E&S has backed the call through its Fair Deal for Hospices campaign.
Trevor Johnson welcomed an annual £26 million commitment in England, saying: “This is money that is absolutely needed, the long-term nature of this commitment is fantastic. It gives us a platform where we’re able to plan and make sure we’re there for the children and families as we move forward.
The newly transformed Centred Garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall.
“There’s a wider conversation that we can now have around sustainable funding for the sector at large, but this is a great start.”
The Express & Star is campaigning for a Fair Deal for HospicesYou can give to Acorns Hospice. Click here to donate.
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