Acorns fundraiser receives letter back on behalf of Prince William

Graham Payne, an Aston Villa fan, wrote to the Duke of Cambridge to show him the work being done to raise the £2 million needed.

The 72-year-old, from Pelsall, sent off an Express & Star article which showcased him donating his football shirt to raise funds.

Now Mr Payne has been left “shocked” after receiving a letter on behalf of the member of the royal family.

The letter, from Claudia Spens of The Office of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, read: “The Duke of Cambridge has asked me to thank you for your letter and enclosures.

“The reasons for writing as you did are appreciated and His Royal Highness is grateful to you for taking the trouble to let him know of your fundraising efforts for Acorns.

“The Duke of Cambridge was moved to hear of the work undertaken by Acorns and was really pleased to know of Aston Villa FC and your own commitment to support them.

“Acorns has clearly played an important part in so many lives and His Royal Highness would have me pass on his best wishes to all those fundraising. The Duke of Cambridge has asked me to send you his warmest thanks.”

Mr Payne gave up his 2007 Aston Villa shirt to be auctioned – which had an Express & Star article on the back about Aston Villa FC choosing to make Acorns Children’s Hospice the club’s main sponsor at the time.

He said: “The letter was really to raise the profile of the charity and it was good of them to write back. I sent him the whole article and he mentioned in his letter that he wanted to thank everyone who raises money for Acorns. It was his Aston Villa hat, that’s what I was appealing to, because he’s a big fan.

“I couldn’t believe it. My daughters and grandchildren were all pleased and it was quite a shock.”

The fundraiser urged people to continue to back the appeal, saying: “Everybody can contribute to it and if everyone does there bit, then it’s done.”