THE sunshine floods into the spacious reception area, lighting up the friendly faces of stuffed bears, a rocking horse and carved wooden elephants.

Instantly, a feeling of warmth floods over you as you're greeted with smiling faces of welcoming staff.

Those unfamiliar with children's hospices may have preconceptions of depressing places full of sadness.

But Acorns Children's Hospice in Bath Road, St Peter's, Worcester, couldn't be further removed from that stereotype.

At its conception stage its designers had a clear aim - to create a home from home, and that is definitely what they have achieved.

That's confirmed by the beaming grin of 16-year-old Simon Allchurch as he takes in the toys, huge comfy red sofas and a wall adorned with pictures lovingly painted by some of the children who have stayed at Acorns.

Simon is one of 50 youngsters with life-limiting illnesses who have spent time at Acorns since it first opened its doors six months ago.

Looking after Simon, who was born with cerebral palsy which has left him wheelchair-bound, is a 24/7 job, and can take its toll on his loving parents Jane, aged 45 and Keith, 44.

The Allchurchs were introduced to the work of Acorns three years ago, and have been travelling the three-hour round trip from their Evesham home to the charity's hospice in Selly Oak, Birmingham, where they could leave Simon in the safe hands of staff while they took a much-needed break.

Now the family is delighted that they have a state-of-the-art Acorns on their doorstep, cutting two hours off their journey.

"The hospice is brilliant and it gives us peace of mind that we can bring him here and go home knowing he is being looked after exceptionally well," said mum Jane.

"It gives you a chance to have a good sleep and recharge your batteries."

Having an Acorns closer to home also means Simon can stay more often, usually once a month for three to five nights.

"Simon absolutely loves it to the point that he can't sleep the night before he goes because he is so excited," said dad Keith.

"He gets totally spoilt while he is there. He gets to watch television in bed or be pushed out in his bed into the beautiful gardens.

"It's also great that he gets long physiotherapy sessions and we're looking forward to him being able to use the hydrotherapy pool here, which Simon loves.

"It's so relaxing and welcoming. When he goes back to school his teachers even notice the positive effect it's had on him."

Now the Allchurchs are urging people to take part in Acorns' new 'Small Change, Big Difference' campaign.

Launched to coincide with the start of national children's hospice week, which runs from Saturday, September 17, until Saturday, September 24, the campaign shows how there are two simple ways people can help Acorns.

l Donate your pennies and pounds by filling an old, new or spare pair of gloves with your spare change and popping them into special collection boxes in all Acorns' retail shops. If you don't have gloves to donate, a bag for your change will do. Glove boxes can also be put in workplaces or meeting places to encourage people to donate their spare change.

l Wear an Archie badge, Acorns' mascot, available from the charity's shops or put a small box of Archie badges on your reception or counter, asking for donations of £1 per badge.

The charity's community fund-raiser Dawn Pawlett explained: "We cannot give the children we care for more time, but by enhancing their quality of life, we can make each minute, hour, day or month they have left really memorable.

"It costs £19 to provide one hour of care and support for one child, so your small change can help to make a big difference to Acorns' children and families."

If you would like to get involved in Acorns' Small Change, Big Difference campaign, call Jane Hartnell on 0121 248 4801 or e-mail fundraising@acorns.org.uk

You can also help by taking part in the charity's Big Walk, which is taking place at Worcester Countryside Centre in Wildwood Drive, Spetchley, Worcester, on Sunday, September 25.

Walkers can choose to complete either a one-and-half mile walk, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, or a longer four-mile route. Bring a picnic and enjoy a magic show afterwards.

Entrance costs £5 per person (accompanied children under 12 go free) with participants asked to raise as much sponsorship as they can. Registration will be between 12pm and 2pm on the day.

To sign up or find out more call 01386 554848.

ALL ABOUT ACORNS

l Acorns provides care to children and young people who are not expected to reach adulthood, and support for their families.

l Since 1988, it has helped over 1,100 families and is currently supporting 500 families across the West Midlands region as well as Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and parts of Staffordshire and Shropshire.

l It is estimated that 1,600 in the region actually need the support of Acorns.

l Each of Acorns' three hospices (Selly Oak, in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester) provides respite, emergency and terminal care with round-the-clock support for families, and bereavement counselling.

l The 10-bed, purpose built unit has a multi-sensory room, hydrotherapy pool, facilities for adolescents and an acre of gardens.