Acorns

[Legion]

Walsall Hospice to close

[TheMalandro]

Very sad.

[UK Redsox]

Does the club still have any official connection to Acorns ?

[SheffieldVillain]

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.

[maidstonevillain]

You do wonder whether our association with Acorns does now hinder their fund-raising in some areas.

[dave.woodhall]

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.

[Damo70]

Walsall Hospice to close

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.

[Chico Hamilton III]

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.

[robbo1874]

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.

[London Villan]

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.

[Kimaster1976]

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.

[Steve67]

Such a shame. I wonder if this could be mentioned at the next fans forum?

[Sexual Ealing]

Walsall Hospice to close

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.

[Risso]

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.

[Damo70]

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.