Credit crunch 'squeezes' hospice

A children's hospice says it needs to raise another £2m before the end of the financial year to continue to deliver services at its current levels.

Acorns Children's Hospice said income from firms, members of the public and charitable trusts was "being squeezed" by the credit crunch.

The charity has hospices in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester.

It said it had had its worst November but its profile had never been higher, due to a partnership with Aston Villa.

The charity has its logo on the football club's shirts this season for free, but admitted it was a "double edged sword".

It said the initiative had raised its profile, but there were more families approaching Acorns at a time when its "ability to deliver those services is most under pressure".

'Working closely'

The hospice added: "However difficult it gets Acorns will be there to support them (the charity's families) - that is the real challenge for us."

The charity said earlier this year the government announced it would be making additional money available to the primary care trusts which they should use to fund children's hospice services.

But the hospice claimed: "There is still a great deal of confusion at the primary care trusts about how and where they are to find that money."

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "Providing the best care possible for some of the country's sickest children is a priority.

"We are working closely with local services to use the £20m announced earlier this year to enhance family-centred care and support in a setting of the child's and family's choice."

Acorns said December income had been "much more buoyant from individuals" across the region.