FORMER Worcester Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth has spoken about how he helped to get Acorn’s Children’s Hospice up and running in the city ahead of this weekend’s charity match.
Acorns for the Three Counties, which cares for life-limited and life-threatened children and their families, is this year celebrating its tenth anniversary at its base in Bath Road.
Warriors has played a large part in its success in Worcester and the rugby club will be looking raise £10,000 when they hold their annual charity match on Saturday (February 14) against Rotherham Titans at 12.35pm.
However, Mr Duckworth, who spent more than 20 years as Warriors’ chairman, told the Observer his and the club’s relationship with the hospice stretches back before it was launched in Worcester.
Mr Duckworth became aware of Acorns’ work when he was introduced to his daughter Jill’s school friend who was travelling all the way to Selly Oak so her sick son could receive care.
Acorns had launched in the area in 1988 and after going on a tour of the building, Mr Duckworth asked the charity’s bosses whether they would consider opening a hospice in Worcester.
After carrying out a survey which suggested a hospice would be needed in Worcestershire, Mr Duckworth stumped up £1million of his own money to the project off the ground.
“We then put together a fund-raising committee, which raised £4million and in addition to my money and that was the beginning of it,” he said.
“I have been involved with it ever since and I have linked the rugby club to Acorns as our number one charity. The players come here and assist and we do some fund-raising with them.”
Since opening in March 2005, the hospice has gone on from strength to strength and in the last year staff at the centre have supported more than 700 children and 1,050 families.
Mr Duckworth added: “It’s so satisfying that something you initiated has been sustained and is successful,” he said.
“It’s like looking at my old company, now owned by Bosch, so it is nice to think that I started that and it means a lot to the city which I live in and love.”
A limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday’s match by e-mailing [email protected], calling 01564 825000 or visiting www.acorns.org.uk/worcester-warriors
