Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Legion on June 04, 2019, 11:00:57 AM
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Walsall Hospice to close (https://www.expressandstar.com/news/health/2019/06/04/acorns-closing-walsall-childrens-hospice-amid-rising-running-costs/)
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Very sad.
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Does the club still have any official connection to Acorns ?
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Very sad.
Indeed. 10 million a year to provide the outstanding work they do.
And we've just released a footballer who has cost us probably 20 million over the last few years for no return.
I'm not suggesting we should be funding it by the way. Just having one of those "the world's a bit upside-down" moments.
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You do wonder whether our association with Acorns does now hinder their fund-raising in some areas.
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You do wonder whether our association with Acorns does now hinder their fund-raising in some areas.
I'm sure I read somewhere that they said their donations dropped off when they had our shirt sponsorship because people thought they didn't need it anymore.
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Walsall Hospice to close (https://www.expressandstar.com/news/health/2019/06/04/acorns-closing-walsall-childrens-hospice-amid-rising-running-costs/)
My Grandson has spent most of his time at Acorns Selly Oak but has had some respite care at Walsall too. Mainly when some maintenance work was being done at Selly Oak.
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Very sad.
Indeed. 10 million a year to provide the outstanding work they do.
And we've just released a footballer who has cost us probably 20 million over the last few years for no return.
I'm not suggesting we should be funding it by the way. Just having one of those "the world's a bit upside-down" moments.
I thought the same. What a fucking mad world we live in.
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Very sad.
Indeed. 10 million a year to provide the outstanding work they do.
And we've just released a footballer who has cost us probably 20 million over the last few years for no return.
I'm not suggesting we should be funding it by the way. Just having one of those "the world's a bit upside-down" moments.
true- but probably wouldn’t hurt the club to donate a little slice of that estimated 170m windfall for getting back in the premier league to an organisation they were once very close to.
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Workwise the organisation I'm involved in do a lot with Acorns, and yes it's still an issue that people think Villa support them financially.
It's an amazing place though and so much work is done away from the hospice so hopefully, they'll still be able to support the families.
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Funnily enough the 2008-2010 Acorns sponsored shirt is the only one I still wear to matches, it was to remind me of better times with Laursen, Barry, Petrov, Young, Milner, Carew etc.
Plus I find the shirt is always going to be timeless having a unique charity on the front rather than 32 Red or some other flavour of the year betting company and the like.
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Such a shame. I wonder if this could be mentioned at the next fans forum?
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Walsall Hospice to close (https://www.expressandstar.com/news/health/2019/06/04/acorns-closing-walsall-childrens-hospice-amid-rising-running-costs/)
My Grandson has spent most of his time at Acorns Selly Oak but has had some respite care at Walsall too. Mainly when some maintenance work was being done at Selly Oak.
Oh mate. Best wishes Damo.
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Something's a bit odd there. A quick look at their latest available accounts shows they were in very good financial health for 2018. Income was up from £14.6m in 2017, to £16m in 2018, with the surplus of income over expenditure up to £1.4m from just £16K the year before. It was such a productive year finance wise that they were able to pay off a loan early. The cash balance at the year end was £1.9m, up from £260K. Now in the new report it says that they stand to LOSE £1.8m this year. Looks like something has gone badly awry in the space of a year. I know that charities can sometimes have bumper years if they have a lot of money from legacies, but even so, that's very strange, and with sad consequences for the families who used the facility, and the staff who will lose their jobs.
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I was once told how much it cost each day to care for each child at Acorns and it was a lot of money. I will be seeing my eldest daughter tomorrow and she will be able to remind me of the figure. Suffice to say it isn't cheap. I think what would probably surprise a lot of people on their first visit to Acorns Selly Oak is how relatively small it is. I have never been to the one in Walsall.
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
In fairness, the Government do make a massive contribution via tax relief/Giftaid on charitable donations.
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I do like this bloke
Purslow: “Our relationship with Acorns has been re-established. They will be our Official Charity Partner for the season and we will give them extensive support.”
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Fantastic news.
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Brilliant news well done all concerned
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Funnily enough the 2008-2010 Acorns sponsored shirt is the only one I still wear to matches, it was to remind me of better times with Laursen, Barry, Petrov, Young, Milner, Carew etc.
Plus I find the shirt is always going to be timeless having a unique charity on the front rather than 32 Red or some other flavour of the year betting company and the like.
Me too, for exactly the same reason. The lettering is only just starting to peel as well.
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That's brilliant news. Well done Villa. I'm liking this Purslow guy more and more.
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
Most hospices receive a significant proportion of their income direct from the government/NHS.
Regrettably the idea that people would vote for any tax increase regardless of where the money would be spent is a fallacy.
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
Most hospices receive a significant proportion of their income direct from the government/NHS.
Regrettably the idea that people would vote for any tax increase regardless of where the money would be spent is a fallacy.
Because Governments always keep thier promises regarding Tax. :o
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No.
Because the government funds the health care system which in turn contracts with hospices to provide certain services in the community.
Have a look at their accounts if you doubt me.
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http://www.change.org/p/acorns-childrens-hospice-keep-acorns-children-s-hospice-in-walsall-open
I have just been told by someone from Acorns that ten million quid is needed to keep it going for the next three years.
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
In fairness, the Government do make a massive contribution via tax relief/Giftaid on charitable donations.
Maybe I'm being naive here too, but on what fucking planet should dying people (kids, in this case) have to rely on charity to make their final days as comfortable and dignified as possible?
Shame on the fucking lot of us for not insisting that this should be a priority of any government we vote for. "If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people"
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
In fairness, the Government do make a massive contribution via tax relief/Giftaid on charitable donations.
Maybe I'm being naive here too, but on what fucking planet should dying people (kids, in this case) have to rely on charity to make their final days as comfortable and dignified as possible?
Shame on the fucking lot of us for not insisting that this should be a priority of any government we vote for. "If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people"
100% this
But as we know it aint gonna change any time soon
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
In fairness, the Government do make a massive contribution via tax relief/Giftaid on charitable donations.
Maybe I'm being naive here too, but on what fucking planet should dying people (kids, in this case) have to rely on charity to make their final days as comfortable and dignified as possible?
Shame on the fucking lot of us for not insisting that this should be a priority of any government we vote for. "If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people"
I agree Chico. And when you look at what is going on in the US right now at the horrendous conditions Mexican babies (yes babies) and toddlers and other young kids are being detained in and dying then you wonder what the fuck needs to happen to change the way government looks at life in general. Anyway I know this isn't the place for it.
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I just find it all really sad when you hear of any charity having to cut back or close. This places are vital and pay a massive part in people's lives. I'm sure if governments said we're going to raise income tax by a tiny fraction but all this money is strictly to help finance charities so they can then concentrate on helping people and not have to worry about funds, I'm sure everyone would go for it. Or maybe they could just stop wasting taxpayers money on unnecessary shit. Perhaps I'm too simplistic.
In fairness, the Government do make a massive contribution via tax relief/Giftaid on charitable donations.
Maybe I'm being naive here too, but on what fucking planet should dying people (kids, in this case) have to rely on charity to make their final days as comfortable and dignified as possible?
Shame on the fucking lot of us for not insisting that this should be a priority of any government we vote for. "If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people"
Nobody would deny your sentiment, but the reality is far less bleak than you might realise.
There's a lot of work being done across Birmingham, Worcestershire and the Black County to help people die where they want to and to avoid being bounced into hospital. There's also a lot of effort being put into supporting the care system that supports the dying and their families.
Most people would prefer to die at home or maybe in a local hospice and therefore care delivered by local organisations (GP, hospices, Macmillan teams, district nurses) which may or may not be (partly) charity funded makes a lot of sense as they can respond to local needs rather than being sucked into the bigger NHS machine which does deliver excellent palliative care but often in a busy hospital environment.
If you feel strongly about supporting this then donate some of your money or even better, your time , so you can see what goes on, to your local hospice or macmillan? You'll see more benefit than paying a penny or two on income tax - and you'll see results now rather than wait years for a change in government policy.
Birmingham Hospices
St. Mary's
Acorns
Black County
Compton
Mary Stevens
Worcestershire
St Richards
Lichfield
St Giles
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my wife has worked as a nurse in our local hospice ( Willen for those who know MK area) for a good few years now
although she leaves next week for a new role in elderly care in the NHS
Sadly she has a 100% record at the hospice seeing people out of this world at home
she was watching some shit like love island on tv a while ago and I had a moan saying can’t you find something a bit a bit less trashy
she said I’ve just washed down the body of a 42 year old woman with 3 kids I don’t want anything thought provoking just a bit of nonsense tv is where I’m at thanks
there’s no come back to that, i was put in my place and said fair enough
needless to say I was really pleased with what Purslow said I don’t know of Acorns specifically only through the Villa but any Hospice is a worthy cause to support
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my wife has worked as a nurse in our local hospice ( Willen for those who know MK area) for a good few years now
although she leaves next week for a new role in elderly care in the NHS
Sadly she has a 100% record at the hospice seeing people out of this world at home
she was watching some shit like love island on tv a while ago and I had a moan saying can’t you find something a bit a bit less trashy
she said I’ve just washed down the body of a 42 year old woman with 3 kids I don’t want anything thought provoking just a bit of nonsense tv is where I’m at thanks
there’s no come back to that, i was put in my place and said fair enough
needless to say I was really pleased with what Purslow said I don’t know of Acorns specifically only through the Villa but any Hospice is a worthy cause to support
And she was right. My old doll spent her working life nursing with a special interest in geriatrics. She maintains that nursing staff in particular shouldn't spend all of their time in one department, she feels it would be beneficial to rotate around areas because by the very nature of the job they do and pressures they find themselves under, the medical profession being what it is today, depression can become a major factor in those nurses lives without them realising it. Notwithstanding those with specialist skills, renal, theatre,diabetic etc. I hope that makes sense.
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my wife has worked as a nurse in our local hospice ( Willen for those who know MK area) for a good few years now
although she leaves next week for a new role in elderly care in the NHS
Sadly she has a 100% record at the hospice seeing people out of this world at home
she was watching some shit like love island on tv a while ago and I had a moan saying can’t you find something a bit a bit less trashy
she said I’ve just washed down the body of a 42 year old woman with 3 kids I don’t want anything thought provoking just a bit of nonsense tv is where I’m at thanks
there’s no come back to that, i was put in my place and said fair enough
needless to say I was really pleased with what Purslow said I don’t know of Acorns specifically only through the Villa but any Hospice is a worthy cause to support
And she was right. My old doll spent her working life nursing with a special interest in geriatrics. She maintains that nursing staff in particular shouldn't spend all of their time in one department, she feels it would be beneficial to rotate around areas because by the very nature of the job they do and pressures they find themselves under, the medical profession being what it is today, depression can become a major factor in those nurses lives without them realising it. Notwithstanding those with specialist skills, renal, theatre,diabetic etc. I hope that makes sense.
absolutely makes sense
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St Michaels (Worcs) looked after my Grandma - who was my Mum more than my actual Mum could ever be arsed to be - when she was dying with a loving kindness and dignity that I still can't really get my head around even twenty years after the event. Likewise Severn Hospice in Shropshire with more friends and loved ones than I care to recall.
That vital institutions such as these should ever be under threat of closure beggars belief. I've made as big a donation as I can afford to Acorns this week in light of this thread and am delighted to see that the Walsall site will remain in operation after all.
Supporting local hospices directly, through giving time or money, is about as crucial an act as can be performed by any citizen. To the posters whose wives nurse at such places, please give them a special hug tonight from one who values every last tread on the ward floor that they make; they are wonderful people who give so much of themselves yet, by the nature of grief, go unrecognised by so many.
All love to them. Rodders xx
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Great post.
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If you want to bang a few quid Acorns way you can also sponsor the staff at Cheltenham Town who are currently cycling through the Alps to raise a couple of bob. Details are on the club website.
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Here's the link to donate if anyone is interested https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ctfcalpsride
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Here's the link to donate if anyone is interested https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ctfcalpsride
Cheers Pete. My pal Russ Milton is one of those taking part. He also raised a few quid for them in that Birmingham cycling thing last year.
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I believe a survival package has been arranged.
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https://www.expressandstar.com/news/health/2019/07/19/acorns-childrens-hospice-closure-halted-as-2-million-funding-appeal-launched/
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Link to fundraising on our FB Page (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2967978109896394&id=129445223749711). Also on our FB Group.
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Donated a signed Darren Bent 2014 away Poppy Day shirt (not match worn) as well as an unsigned Nicklas Helenius match worn home Poppy Day shirt.
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Shirt auction on FB: https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158800034309899&id=631529898
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A friend of mine is doing a sky dive in aid of Acorns. He's also given his time freely for many years as a trustee of the charity, and runs the Coventry branch of their fundraising team. If a few of us could chuck him a few quid it would be appreciated.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/csgacornsskydive
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Aston Villa Football Club are delighted to announce that Acorns Children’s Hospice and Birmingham Children’s Hospital will be the club’s official Charity Partners for the next two seasons.
The partnership aims to raise awareness of each charity’s work, drive recruitment of volunteers and further enhance the service they provide to families across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Chief Executive Christian Purslow said “We are delighted to announce that Acorns Children’s Hospice and Birmingham Children’s Hospital will be Aston Villa Football Club’s official Charity Partners for the 2019/20 and 20/21 seasons.
"The official Charity Partnership is something that we have been talking to both charities about for some time. Both organisations have a long association with the club and are regarded as national and international leaders in their respective fields.
“One of the main objectives of the partnerships is to raise awareness of Acorns Children’s Hospice and Birmingham Children’s Hospital with the Villa and wider football family across the globe. Alongside that, we are very excited to be working with them on a day to day basis through our own Foundation to explore opportunities to work together on various projects and activities.”
Established in 1988, Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust is a registered charity offering a network of care, support, fun and laughter for life limited and life threatened babies, children and young people and their families, across the heart of England.
Aston Villa have supported Acorns since 2006 and have a long-standing relationship with the charity with their logo adorning the club’s shirts between 2008-2010.
Over the past 12 months, Acorns have cared for more than 870 children and have supported more than 1,140 families across the West Midlands.
Toby Porter, Chief Executive at Acorns, said: “We are thrilled to be kicking off our partnership with Aston Villa Football Club for the next two seasons. Our connection with the club and all the fans goes back many years and we’re excited to build on that fantastic legacy.
“Acorns relies on the support of the community to continue providing our vital care to children and families - so this partnership and the involvement of the Foundation will play an instrumental role towards our work over the coming years.”
Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a leading UK specialist paediatric centre, offering expert care to over 90,000 children and young people from across the country every year.
Delivering some of the most advanced treatments, complex surgical procedures and cutting-edge research and development, the hospital treats one in five children from Birmingham and one in eight from the wider West Midlands.
Every patient and family at Birmingham Children’s Hospital will have been touched by the hospital’s charity in some way and it continually strives to do more for the sick children in its care.
The fundraising makes a real difference to the services it provides to children and their families during difficult times.
Louise McCathie, Director of Fundraising at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Aston Villa has chosen to support us in this way.
"We have a long-standing relationship with the club and its Foundation and this significant extension to our partnership will make a huge and heartfelt difference to the lives of our brave children, young people and their families.”
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Emailed ticket office this week to see if they could donate my Chelsea Home ticket refund direct to Acorns. Reply was that they couldn't for technical reasons. (transparency I imagine). So they've refunded me and I've sent it on via Just Giving. I figured the match isn't going to be played anytime time soon with or without a crowd.
UTV
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Nice one.