A COLWALL grandmother is urging others to join her in fundraising for Acorns Children's Hospice, which has given her grandson a new lease of life.

Five-year-old Josh Loader was one of the first children through the doors of the Worcester hospice, when it opened in March this year.

Born with epilepsy, he suffered a particularly bad fit at the age of two and was left with severe brain damage. He now needs round-the-clock care from his mother Bev.

Josh regularly had to be taken to the Acorns Hospice in Birmingham's Selly Oak. Now, he only needs to go as far as Worcester to enjoy multi-sensory rooms, hydrotherapy and one-on-one care.

"It's brilliant," said Bev. "He just really loves it you can tell."

Over the past two years, grandmother Joan Loader, of Brookside, has raised nearly £5,000 for the hospice. She has organised skittles evenings at Colwall Royal British Legion, fun nights and table-top sales.

But Joan is in desperate need of more support.

She said: "We could do with more support and people donating prizes. It could be anything from a tin of beans to a box of biscuits.

"We could also do with suggestions as to events we could run."

Joan said the hospice offered a fantastic service to children like Josh.

"People need to go to see the children in the hospice. It's lovely to see them so happy and being looked after so well," she said.

Joan can be contacted on 01684 540944. Donations can be made directly to the hospice by writing to: Acorns Fundraising Head Office, 8a, Wake Green Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B139EZ, or calling, 0121 2484800.