Charity warning over hospice beds

The charity behind several children's hospices in the West Midlands says it could be forced to close beds at its centres due to a lack of money.

Acorns, which has centres in Walsall, Birmingham and Worcester, said it was 10% down on funds this year.

It said four beds in each centre will have to close in January as a result.

The charity said a rise in donations to international disasters has led to people giving less and called on the NHS to do more to help them.

'Helping families'

John Overton, chief executive of Acorns, said NHS funding would significantly help the charity keep the beds open.

"We've been disappointed that the NHS has not been able to help as much as they promised they would - less than 10% of our income comes from the government," he told BBC WM.

"We're working that much harder on fundraising and controlling beds and helping families at home.

"We have a comprehensive community team which supports the families at home as well as acting as their advocate in all that they do."