Express & Star

Big names in business join forces for Black Country children’s charity

Renowned figures and respected members of the West Midlands business community have been announced as the first charity champions to join Acorns Children's Hospice.

Published
Phil Oldershaw

The five have joined as part of the charity's new ambassador programme and will play a key role in raising the awareness of Acorns within the business community.

They include CEO and business founder Jas Rohel; entrepreneur, personality and hospitality operator Phil Oldershaw; CEO Petro Nicolaides; chartered accountant and managing partner Johnathan Dudley; and channel partnership manager Amy Deakin.

They will also help raise vital funds towards its lifeline care for local life limited and life threatened children and their families.

Each of Acorns' business ambassadors is joining the charity in a two-year partnership and has committed to raising £5,000 each year.

Local support

Libby Kaluna, partnership fundraising manager at Acorns, said: “We are extremely excited to launch this brand-new initiative and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have some of the region’s very best in business join us as our first ambassadors.

“Their influence, passion and expertise will help us reach even more people within the business community and grow local support, which will make a massive difference to the children and families that need us.”

Acorns business ambassadors will represent the charity at various events during their tenure, from cheque presentations and networking groups to attending public engagements within the business community. The group will come together for quarterly meetings chaired by Paul Cadman, professor of entrepreneurship at Birmingham University and Acorns vice president.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for life limited and life threatened children and support for their families from its three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and in the community.

In the past year the charity has cared for more than 800 children and over 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

It cost Acorns £27,000 per day to provides its lifeline care and support, the bulk of which comes from fundraising and partnerships.

To find out more about becoming one of Acorns new business ambassadors, email the partnerships team on partnerships@acorns.org.uk or call 01564 825037.