£180,000 raised at star studded gala dinner
An incredible £180,000 has been raised for life-changing care at a star-studded black-tie dinner for Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The charity was the talk of ‘this town’ on as a host of famous faces and charity supporters came together for the highly-anticipated Acorns ‘This Town’ Gala Dinner.
Music legend Neville Staple, frontman of The Specials, headlined the unforgettable evening of entertainment at the ICC Birmingham, inspired by the award-winning BBC drama This Town.
The unmissable event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the show’s creator Steven Knight alongside Kudos (part of Banijay UK), the production company behind the series.
Adding to the magic were recreated sets and the iconic space suit from This Town, plus special appearances from some of the show’s main cast, including Levi Brown, Ben Rose, Eve Austin and Jordan Bolger, as well as Steven Knight himself.
Patron of Acorns, Steven Knight, said: “This was an evening that only Birmingham could put on and showed our city and the West Midlands at their very best.
“It was a brilliant showcase of what makes this region so special and all for the best possible cause.”
Guests at Acorns ‘This Town’ Gala Dinner were taken on a journey through 1980s Birmingham to enjoy the vibrant ska and two-tone music scenes that capture a pivotal moment in local history and feature promentantly within the show.
Hosted by Dave Sharpe, the evening included performances from rising RnB star Indigo Marshall and reggae revivalists Young Culture Band.
Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020-2022, Casey Bailey, also gave a bespoke performance seen nowhere else, including a moving tribute to former Acorns Patron, activist and poet, the late great Benjamin Zephaniah.
An electrifying live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items saw a piece of rock history go under the hammer, raising £15,000.
The 2024 Gibson SG Electric Guitar, generously donated and signed by music icon Ozzy Osbourne, included autographs from an all-star lineup of musicians from his 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
The record £180,000 raised in total on the night will help Acorns continue its life-changing care for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions across the West Midlands and support for their families.
Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, and support for their families.
In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 780 children across the West Midlands, and supported over 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved. Children visit Acorns for rehabilitative respite, symptom management, emergency and end-of-life care,
This care and support is provided from Acorns three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and in the community.
Acorns needs around £35,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.
