We are pleased to be welcoming our friends at Acorns Children’s Hospice to Poundland Stadium on Saturday (13 April) for Walsall FC vs Notts County FC.
We are proud to have Acorns as our charity partner for this season.
Their vital care and support is a real lifeline for hundreds of families caring for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions – children like Alex.
Mum Sam explains: “I’ll never forget that first visit from Acorns, it was just like an angel was coming to help me.”
For Sam, the visit came at a time when the world was crashing down. Her own mum had passed away, her marriage was ending, and her baby boy Alex had been diagnosed with a life threatening condition.
“I was just so frightened,” she said. “Those first 12 months were the worst in my entire life. I don’t know how I made it through.”
Today, Alex is a cheeky and affectionate four-year-old – he loves frogs and frog noises and enjoys watching the neighbourhood dogs going for a walk.
Alex has Smith Lemli Opitz Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, that affects the organs and can cause severe intellectual and behavioural difficulties.
Sam’s referral to Acorns came at the perfect time. She had been going weeks without proper sleep, juggling home life, caring for Alex and looking after young daughter Elisabeth.
Sam said: “I genuinely don’t know what I’d have done without Acorns. I didn’t know how much longer I would have been able to live like that. They literally lifted me up from rock bottom.”
Now Acorns is an important part of the family.
“Acorns has helped me in all aspects; emotionally, physically and mentally. They got involved when I was at my absolute lowest and was physically and mentally exhausted. They just scooped me up and helped get me back on the straight and narrow. They are brilliant.”
While the future for Alex is uncertain, Sam is determined to ‘make the most of every single day’; and with the help of Acorns, they’ll do just that.
Help can’t wait for children like Alex. By donating at Saturday's game, you can make sure Acorns is there for families like his when they need it most. Together, we are stronger. Visit acorns.org.uk/WalsallFC
