Charity makes donation plan ready for shops re-opening

Lockdown clear-out? Donate to Acorns with new contactless drop-off point.

Had a clear-out during lockdown? Redecorated any rooms? Acorns Children’s Hospice has opened a brand-new contactless donation station for supporters to drop-off good quality items for its shops.

As Acorns prepares to reopen its network of retail shops, the charity has turned one of its south Birmingham stores into a safe drop-off point for donations.

From Monday 8th June, Acorns Becketts Farm, in Wythall, will be open from 10am to 4pm for the public to donate pre-loved times to help the charity stock its shops.

Measures have been put in place to help supporters follow social distancing guidelines and to provide a safe environment for everyone.

Gary Pettit, Head of Retail at Acorns, said: “We know that will people will have used their time in lockdown to declutter their homes and would like to donate their good-quality unwanted items to Acorns.

“We wanted to make it as easy and as safe as possible for people to do that. So, we’ve turned our shop at Becketts Farm into a contactless drop-off station, where people can bring their items with confidence and help keep our shops fully stocked.”

The opening of the donation station comes as Acorns gears up to reopen its retail shops across the West Midlands later this month, subject to Government approval.

Acorns charity shops provide a crucial source of income for the charity, helping it fund its vital care for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions.

Gary added: “We’re really looking forward to reopening our shops welcoming our customers back. Like the donation station we’ll have all the necessary measures in place to ensure a safe shopping experience for customers, staff volunteers.

“The support of our customers is vital in helping us continue our work caring for children and families. So, we hope to see you soon!”

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.

You can find out more details on how you can stand with Acorns in the fight against coronavirus here.