Staff from the Coventry-headquartered company visited the hospice’s site in Selly Oak, Birmingham, to see first-hand about how the funds raised will support the hospice and the vital work carried out there.
Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for life limited and life threatened babies, children and young people and support for their families.
The Deeley Group Charity Band Night was organised by Trustees of the Deeley Group Charity, including Carol Maughan, Matt Lynch, Chris Newman, Vicky Hancocks and Joshua Hendy, with support from committee member Alain Kodjo.
Carol, Matthew and Vicky met the fundraising and partnerships team to visit the Birmingham hospice.
They were shown around the specialist facilities that the hospice offers, from multisensory rooms, specially decorated bedrooms and lounges to activity areas, music therapy and arts and craft spaces.
Carol Maughan, Contract Administrator at Deeley Construction, said: “It was humbling to visit the hospice and an incredibly moving afternoon. They do fantastic work and we’re so proud to know that the funds we have raised will support that work.”
Vicky Hancocks, Admin Assistant at Deeley Group, added: “The children at the hospice are so happy, it’s not a sad place at all and that is testament to the work of the staff at the hospice. They are truly inspirational. To know that the money we have raised will play a small part in supporting the children and families that visit the hospice is incredible.”
The Deeley Group Charity Band Night, which was held for a fourth time this year, has raised more than £71,600 since it was founded.
Commercial Director Matthew Lynch, who first suggested the idea to host the band night, said: “The visit to Acorns brought home exactly why we first launched the charity band night, and we’d like to thank the team at the hospice for welcoming us so warmly.
“When we first came up with the idea to host a band night the idea was to host a night where people could come together, enjoy a great evening of entertainment but also know that they are raising money that will make a real difference to important causes.
“The event continues to grow year-on-year, with this year’s fundraising more than triple compared to the first edition. What is most rewarding for us all is to see the direct impact the funds can have, and hearing how they support the important work being done by organisations like Acorns.”
More than two thirds of Acorns income comes from voluntary donations, including generous local businesses, along with the sales of pre-loved items in its West Midlands charity shops. Around a third comes from statutory sources, including NHS England and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
Sian Timmins, Corporate Partnerships Manager for Acorns, said: “A huge thank you to Deeley Group for hosting their charity band night and for their generous donation to support our vital work in caring for seriously ill children and their families.
“It is only with the support of Deeley Group and businesses like them that we can continue to provide specialist medical care for children and support for their families facing the darkest times in their lives.”
