Two legends of West Midlands acting have thrown their support behind a Worcester hospice's campaign.

Adrian Lester and Dame Julie Walters are amongst the big names backing Acorns Children's Hospice's campaign, Children’s Care Matters.

This campaign urgently calls on the Government to safeguard the Children’s Hospice Grant – a £2 million funding stream for Acorns.

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Well-known faces, including award-winning restaurateur Aktar Islam and TikTok star, Poppy O’Toole, have joined Lester and Walters in efforts to ramp up public support.

A petition to save the grant has garnered over 8,000 signatures in just four weeks.

Acorns aims to hand-deliver these signatures to 10 Downing Street next week (Wednesday, September 4), along with a letter to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.

Dame Julie said: "For families going through the most difficult times, the care and emotional support provided by nurses and staff at Acorns is crucial.

"It makes all the difference in the world, allowing families to focus on cherishing moments of joy and love knowing they are in safe hands."

Adrian Lester added: "It is a tragedy that organisations like these are starved of funding."

Islam, owner of the Michelin star restaurant Opheem, said: "The skill, expertise and compassion shown at their three hospices is irreplaceable and the fact they could be faced with turning children away due to lack of funding just doesn’t bear thinking about.

"I’d urge everyone to support this campaign, sign the petition and help safeguard this vital local charity, before it’s too late."

O'Toole said: "They need you and me and everyone to sign their petition so that they can carry on doing their incredible work".

Trevor Johnson, Acorns chief executive, said: "This support will help raise awareness of the hundreds of local children who rely on Acorns, and without this Grant risk losing the care they desperately need."

The uncertain future of the Children’s Hospice Grant risks forcing cuts to essential services for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Acorns utilises funds from the grant, along with fundraising and profits from its charity shops, to care for over 750 children and provide support for almost 1,000 families in the West Midlands.