THE Evening News is celebrating the launch of Acorns Children's Hospice Trust's Three Counties Appeal by committing the newspaper to supporting every fund-raising effort - and pledging to raise a significant sum itself.

We're asking you to support us in helping to make the Acorns' dream come true.

The charity is desperate to raise £4m as soon as possible, so work can begin on the new purpose-built unit.

And we are backing the campaign all the way.

Every week in the Evening News there will be a weekly update of the charity events that have happened, who's done what, where, how and the total amount of cash raised.

There will be a running total of the funds as they come in, as well as a look forward to events coming up.

We are doing our bit by working on our own plans for a major fund-raising event during the next 12 months.

"The Evening News is happy to put its weight behind what is a wonderful and inspirational project to build the children's hospice for the three counties," said editor Stewart Gilbert.

"It's a facility that's much needed as the present hospices, which do fantastic work, are situated so far away for the parents and children who need to attend.

"The idea and inspiration behind these centres for life-limited children is one that will touch the hearts of many Evening News readers.

"This paper is happy to promote this appeal for cash to build a facility and will be urging readers to follow this lead and support the appeal."

And of course there will be the inside story from the team at the Bath Road site, detailing their continuing work to set the Acorns dream in stone.

We will keep you up-to-date from the minute work begins on the green patch of land until it becomes an up-and-running unit, which will cater for 150 life-limited youngsters and their families across the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

But how fast it becomes a reality depends on the speed that the cash is raised.

So please, dig deep.

From clothes sales to a sponsored run, every penny counts.

Anyone who has an idea for a fund-raising event, or wants to pledge some cash to the charity, should contact Acorns on 01905 767676 and reporter Ann Wheeldon on 01905 748200 extension 271.

Watch this space for more details on our own fund-raising plans.