A super awesome toddler from Rubery has walked more than 45 miles for Acorns Children’s Hospice – raising over £340 for local families.
Macauley Walker-Breen has been doing his bit during lockdown to support Acorns and help fund its work caring for children and families.
The 22-month-old and his mother Abbie set out to walk 20 miles throughout June and raise £200 – however just 10 days into the challenge and the Rubery residents smashed both the distance and their fundraising target.
So, with a spring in their step, the duo continued their daily strolls and the funds kept rolling in.
Abbie said: “Macauley has absolutely loved it – it’s not me dragging him out the house. He’s got such a happy bubbly character, he just loves being out and running around.
“We’ve been going out as far as he can each day and having a little picnic. He knows he’s been walking to raise money and that the money is to help children.”
Abbie and her family are big supporters of Acorns holding regular fundraisers to support the charity. Every year Abbie’s brother Darren asks friends and family for donations to Acorns in lieu of presents.
The 29-year-old, who even has a hoodie printed for her son to help raise awareness among passersby, explained: “My brother Darren has Asperger’s and he gets really passionate about certain things and one thing he’s really passionate about is Acorns.
“We have raised money for Acorns before with bake sales and things and on his birthday, rather than gifts, Darren asks people to donate to Acorns. It seemed perfect because Macauley is only 22 months and it’s a children’s charity. So, it just really meant something.”
Izzie Goodwin, Fundraising Officer for Acorns, said: “Macauley is one of the youngest and most adorable fundraisers we have, which just goes to show it’s never too early to start supporting Acorns.
“It’s wonderful to see how much he’s been the challenge and we’re thrilled to hear he beat both his target distance and fundraising amount. This money he has raised will go directly to local children and families who rely on Acorns care and support.”
Amid the current challenges facing the nation, Acorns is continuing to provide emergency and end of life hospice care as well as emotional and practical support to hundreds of families who are in strict isolation at home.
In March, the charity published its emergency response for Covid-19, prioritising care for the most vulnerable children and their families and setting aside its hospice in the Black Country for children from local hospitals with complex care needs to help acute trusts maximise their intensive care capability.
As well as this, the charity temporarily closed its hospice in Birmingham and offered the facility for use in the emergency response.
Acorns needs the support of the community and local businesses as much as ever as it continues to care for some of the region’s most vulnerable families and support the NHS.
To find out how you can stand with Acorns as it continues to care for some of the most vulnerable children and families in the community, please visit www.acorns.org.uk/together
BVoices is committed in supporting communities across south west Birmingham and surrounding by keeping them informed and engaged. Please see the following:
• Community Chat for south west Birmingham • Coronavirus support
• Community Classroom – Resources for parents & carers
• Community Together • Mental Health & Wellbeing through COVID-19
• Community Kindness • Positive acts during the COVID-19 outbreak
• SW Brum Camera Club – for the love of the lens – Photography Birmingham
• SWBrum Jobs Page
• Community Recycle – Repurpose & Reuse – SW Birmingham & Surrounding
