Hospice's artwork of PM to plead for more funding

An emotive artwork, addressed to the Prime Minister, made entirely using the handprints of children who are dying or seriously ill has been unveiled.

The portrait of Keir Starmer had been made using hundreds of orange handprints of children cared for by Acorns Children's Hospice.

The charity, which has hospices in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, said behind it is an urgent call to save "vital funding" that is under threat for hospices across England.

Titled 'Hands for Hope', the artwork was revealed outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday to launch the charity's campaign calling on the government to guarantee long-term funding for children's hospices.

Chief executive Trevor Johnson said Acorns took this "emotional step" as it approaches a turning point.

"There is genuine concern we may have to make heart breaking decisions, which is why we've taken this emotional step.

"We need the government to act now so children and families don't worry that the care they deserve is going to be lost.

The government said in November hospices would get help to cope in the face of rising National Insurance costs and a drop in government funding.

In December, it said hospices in England would receive £100m of government funding over two years to improve end-of-life care.

Without funding Acorns fears it may be forced to turn away a seriously ill child for the first time in its 37-year history, Mr Johnson said.

The charity received £2.2m from the Children's Hospice Grant but it said in eight months the money will run out.

Mr Johnson added: "One thing is certain without this funding we will have to cut services.

"Our message to the Prime Minister and the government is simple it's now in your hands who has the power to ensure that all children's hospices, including Acorns, receive long-term sustainable funding."

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