A mum who lost her daughter aged just seven to a brain tumour, has delivered a petition signed by 10,941 people to 10 Downing Street today on behalf of the children’s hospice where she received care.

The petition, launched by Acorns Children’s Hospice, is part of a campaign calling on the Government to safeguard a vital funding stream called the Children’s Hospice Grant, which Acorns and children’s hospices across England rely-on to provide their care.

Public backing for the campaign has been growing, with the petition to save the Grant reaching more than 10,000 signatures in just four weeks and celebrities including Julie Walters and actor Adrian Lester lending their support. 

Liz Bishop, 45, from Worcester, joined Acorns CEO Trevor Johnson on the steps of 10 Downing Street as the two delivered a box of signatures along with a letter to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.

Lily-Mai, Liz’s daughter, was supported by Acorns Children’s Hospice in Worcester as she bravely battled a brain tumour for many years. She died at the hospice on 25th June 2018, aged just seven.

Liz said: “Acorns is such an amazing place. They were there for us and Lily-Mai, catering to our every need. They are still helping us now and will do into the future too. We’ll forever feel like part of the Acorns family.

“This campaign is so close to my heart. More and more families need Acorns for love and care at the most difficult times. To think there could be families like ours in the future who’ll miss out on these vital services is just unimaginable. 
 
“I hope the Government listens to our campaign and does something urgently to make sure Acorns, and every children’s hospice is protected, this year and long into the future.”

The campaign Children’s Care Matters was launched in July in response to the uncertain future of the Children’s Hospice Grant.

Uncertainty around future funding comes as demand for end-of-life care provided to families like Liz’s at Acorns has grown by 47% in the past year.

Trevor Johnson, Acorns Chief Executive, urged people to keep supporting the campaign. He said: “Today is an important day, because we deliver a powerful message to the Government. In just a few short weeks, thousands of people have shown they recognise the importance of the vital care Acorns provides.

“We are so grateful that Liz could join us today. Her story is just one out of hundreds of families every year who use our services. Every family we care for has a similar story to tell, and every one of them faces an uncertain future if this Grant is taken away.
 
“We may have delivered these signatures, but the petition will remain open, so please keep on signing, sharing, and writing to your local MP. Together we can make a difference for the countless families who rely on children’s palliative care.” 

The future of the £25 million NHS Children’s Hospice Grant which is distributed annually to children’s hospices across England is uncertain. It makes up around 13% of Acorns income, a total of £2 million.

Without the grant Acorns, and many children’s hospices nationally, may be forced to cut vital services for life limited children and their families.