MALVERN people have raised nearly £1 million for Acorns Children’s Hospice over the last quarter of a century, says the charity’s chief executive who thanked them for their support.

The first Acorns Hospice was opened in Selly Oak 25 years ago by Princess Diana, and since then the charity has supported 30 life-limited children and their families from the Malvern area.

In 2005 the charity opened a hospice in Worcester especially to serve the three counties area.

Chief executive David Strudley said: “We simply wouldn’t have been able to help those children and families without the support of the local community.

“In the last 25 years, individuals, groups, organisations and businesses in Malvern have helped us to the tune of nearly £1 million.

That’s the equivalent of more than 1,300 days of care.

“This could have been loose change in a collection tin, a bake sale in the church hall, dress-down day in the office, a school concert, running a marathon or even trekking across a desert.

“The ways people find to support Acorns are endless and never cease to amaze and humble us.”

Local people have also supported Acorns through its charity shop in Barnards Green, which has been raising vital funds since it opened 11 years ago, and volunteers from the area have also had their part to play in the charity’s success.

“There are currently more than 65 active volunteers from Malvern alone supporting the organisation.

“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do so much valuable work,” said Mr Strudley.

Acorns now plans to expand its provision of care by almost 50 per cent in the next four years.

“On behalf of everyone at Acorns, I extend a big thank you to the Malvern community and appeal to supporters past, present and future to make Acorns a part of their plans for 2014 in whatever way they can,” he said.