A MUM from Worcester who lost her daughter aged just seven will deliver a petition signed by 10,941 people to 10 Downing Street tomorrow at 2pm, on behalf of the children’s hospice where she received care.
The petition, launched by Acorns Children’s Hospice in July, is part of a campaign calling on the Government to safeguard a vital £2 million funding stream for the charity called the Children’s Hospice Grant.
Liz Bishop will join Acorns CEO Trevor Johnson on the steps of 10 Downing Street to deliver a box of signatures along with a letter to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.
Liz’s daughter Lily-Mai was supported by Acorns for the Three Counties, the charity’s hospice in Worcester as she bravely battled a brain tumour for many years. She died at the hospice on June 25 2018, aged just seven.
Public backing for the campaign has been growing, with the petition to save the Grant reaching more than 10,000 signatures in just four weeks and celebrities including Julie Walters and actor Adrian Lester lending their support.
Liz said: “Acorns is such an amazing place. They were there for us and Lily-Mai, catering to our every need. They are still helping us now and will do into the future too. We’ll forever feel like part of the Acorns family.
“This campaign is so close to my heart. More and more families need Acorns for love and care at the most difficult times. To think there could be families like ours in the future who’ll miss out on these vital services is just unimaginable.
“I hope the Government listens to our campaign and does something urgently to make sure Acorns, and every children’s hospice is protected, this year and long into the future.”
The campaign Children’s Care Matters was launched in July in response to the uncertain future of the Children’s Hospice Grant.
Uncertainty around future funding comes as demand for end-of-life care provided to families like Liz’s at Acorns has grown by 47 per cent in the past year.
Trevor Johnson, Acorns Chief Executive, urged people to keep supporting the campaign.
He said: “Today is an important day, because we deliver a powerful message to the Government. In just a few short weeks, thousands of people have shown they recognise the importance of the vital care Acorns provides.
“We are so grateful that Liz could join us today. Her story is an example of just one out of hundreds of families every year who use our services. Every family we care for has a similar story to tell, and every one of them faces an uncertain future if this Grant is taken away.
“We may have delivered these signatures, but the petition will remain open, so please keep on signing, sharing, and writing to your local MP. Together we can make a difference for the countless families who rely on children’s palliative care.”
Visit www.acorns.org.uk/campaign for more information.
