Three Team Isabella members are going international! Taking on another challenge of a lifetime for a place that’s so close to all of their hearts….Acorns Children’s Hospice. ❤️

We’ll be embarking on an incredible journey in May 2025 - trekking the Great Wall of China in aid of Acorns. This monumental challenge will take us through remote sections of one of the Great Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China, from Gubeikou to Jinshanling and Simatai. Not only will we be trekking along the wall itself, but we’ll also be hiking through the wild and untamed landscapes of rural China.

By supporting our challenge and donating to our fundraising page, you can make a real difference in the lives of local life-limited and life-threatened children, as well as their families. Acorns Children's Hospice provides vital care and support to those who need it most, offering comfort, respite, and a lifeline for families facing unimaginable challenges.

Our story is a true dedication to some pretty amazing children.

Leah’s story...

My first experience with the hospice was many years ago when my Dad took on the Acorns Children's Hospice Arctic challenge sharing his love of sled dogs to a next level.

Twelve years ago I joined in endless and none stop rewarding community days/fundraising events for the local

community in my previous job role as the local Community Champion . This is where I met Isabella Lyttle, the most amazing, beautiful, inspirational, courageous young lady EVER! My love for the hospice soon grew through Isabella's love and admiration for our local Acorns Children’s Hospice for the Black Country here in Walsall. Isabella tought so many people so much, especially me. And always with a smile. For this I will always carry a piece of Isabella with me.

Over 4 years ago I decided on a career change (covid didnt stop me). I now work for a local funeral directors to many families, including the families I’ve had the privilege of previously meeting and supporting over the years. Being there at the end is always heart breaking, but I am honoured and privileged to be there to be able to guide and support so many families through the hardest of times. As Mark will tell you himself, and has told me to write down here, without myself and the team I work with he wouldn’t have got through the hardest day of his life, the day Isabella was laid to rest. The strength we were able to give him and even the ability to smile when he thought he was unable is something he will never ever forget and meant, and will always mean, so much to him.

The Children's Hospice holds a special place for so many families. Children like Joey whose respite means days of endless fun and activities. Isabella, Beau, Adam, kimora, Reece, Ben and to all the other children taken to soon. A masive part of my heart will be taking these special children to China with me all having support through Acorns Children's Hospice. If anything this makes my determination stronger.

CHINA 2025 I’M COMING FOR YOU!🇨🇳

Alicia’s story.

For me Acorns is all about Isabella. I first saw Acorns when visiting, because Isabella used to love going there. I saw first hand what the place does for families and how incredible a place it is. The relationships that the staff have with families is just momentous and irreplaceable. When it came under threat of closing, in Isabella's name there was an amazing fight that brought the region together and not only kept it open but gave it a well deserved refurb with a section dedicated to Isabella. To be part of keeping it open for the life saving work they do there, is truly a privilege. And to do it along with Isabella's dad and another Team Isabella partner in crime, is an honour.

Mark’s story.

This is most definitely all about Isabella and the place she loved so much….Acorns. Some of the happiest times we spent together were at Acorns. Whenever I think of Isabella, or of Acorns, the result is always the same….a great big smile on my face. 😀

It costs £11 million a year to run the three Acorns hospices and keep those smiles on thousands of faces. We love being part of the huge fundraising team that keeps Acorns doing what it does best. Thank you to everyone that digs deep and keeps supporting Acorns, we really appreciate it! ❤️