Date: August 2008

SUPER SLIM SUSIE SHEDS A STONE

Manager of Richmond Painswick retirement village, Susie Oakley, has lost a stone after taking part in a sponsored slim to raise money for the company's chosen charity, Acorns Children's Hospice.  She can be seen here in a tongue in cheek 'before and after' photo - handing over the donation to Andy Jarrett, Acorns’ Community Fundraiser for Gloucestershire.

Susie, who was sponsored by family, friends and residents at the retirement village, managed to raise a total of £287 from her three-month sponsored slim.  She said: “I decided that I wanted to lose some of the weight I'd gained after having my children, but I needed an incentive.  As Acorns is our chosen charity, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to raise some money for a worthy cause.  I am delighted with the amount raised and my new waistline!”

Acorns Children's Hospice Trust cares for life limited children and their families from across the West Midlands and Three Counties region.  Andy Jarrett said: “Richmond Painswick has supported us all year, and this is just one of the many things they have done to raise money for us.  We're very grateful for all their help.”

“We help 59 children in Gloucestershire, but 264 still need care, according to figures from the Association for Children’s Palliative Care.  They cannot benefit from our services yet, because of a lack of funds.”

Richmond Painswick is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the southern slopes of this Cotswold village.   It offers a range of retirement homes including luxury village apartments for independent living, serviced apartments providing award winning assisted living, plus a small 24 en-suite bedroom nursing home. With its meticulously maintained landscaped gardens, the environment offers peace, security and a sense of community to residents.  Its superb facilities include a roof top restaurant, library, shop and its own state-of-the-art spa complex which boasts gymnasium, pools and treatment areas for both hair and beauty.

For further information about Richmond Painswick, visit the Richmond Villages website at www.richmond-villages.com or telephone: 01452 813902.

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Issued by:                             Maria Graham-Martin/Tracey Bretherton
                                            tracey.bretherton@lawsonclarke.co.uk
                                            LawsonClarke PR
                                            Tel: 01285 658844
                                            Fax: 01285 650080
Ref: RV42/2008                     www.lawsonclarke.com

Manager of Richmond Painswick retirement village, Susie Oakley, has lost a stone after taking part in a sponsored slim to raise money for the company's chosen charity, Acorns Children's Hospice.  She can be seen here in a tongue in cheek 'before and after' photo - handing over the donation to Andy Jarrett, Acorns’ Community Fundraiser for Gloucestershire.

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Editor's Note:

1. Richmond Painswick has been awarded Best Retirement Development by both What House Awards and the Daily Mail Property Awards, and has received a Highly Commended award in the Assisted Living category at the recent Daily Telegraph Your New Home Awards.  These awards have recognized that Richmond Villages has created a stimulating and life enhancing environment in which to enjoy retirement.
   
2. Due to the sensitive nature of Acorns care services it refrains from using the words ‘terminal’ in its press releases and public communications, preferring to use the words ‘life limited’ or ‘life limiting’ instead. Acorns children have a lot of living to do, and the terms ‘life limited’ and ‘life limiting’ are commonly used in the Children’s Hospice movement and Paediatric Palliative Care communications. Acorns kindly requests that you respect this in your own press coverage of Acorns Children's Hospice. Thank you.
   
   Acorns offer life limited children and their families a network of care, at its hospices in Selly Oak, Walsall and Worcester, and through its community team who offer support at home.  Children can stay at the hospices for respite, emergency and end-of-life care.  The community team give support to the whole family 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including practical and emotional support for parents, special help for siblings and bereavement counselling.
   
   Acorns Children’s Hospice has become a leading light in the hospice movement for its innovative developments.
   Developments to improve care include introducing specialist workers and teams dedicated to giving the very best support for all, including: siblings; adolescents; grandparents and black and minority ethnic families.
   
   Acorns Children's Hospice has a deep commitment to working alongside colleagues in other agencies, both statutory and voluntary.
   Since its opening in 1988, Acorns’ reputation has been built on quality of care, and attention to detail – where the whole family is supported, reflecting the Palliative Care Network’s vision towards ‘Living well to the end of life.’
   
   It has developed in size and expertise, and led nationally and internationally, toward the immensely important goal of giving life limited children and their families the best possible care. 
   
   Acorns’ three hospices employ more than 170 care staff, including a large multi-disciplinary Community Team.  Its work is also hugely supported by 350 committed and trained volunteers.
   
   The Community Team is the first contact for Acorns families. Acorns contacts all newly accepted families within 7 days.
   
   The hospices would welcome referrals, at Acorns Birmingham (tel. 0121 248 4850); Acorns for The Black Country (Tel 01922 422500); and Acorns for the Three Counties (tel 01905 767676), for details see www.acorns.org.uk
   
   There is no charge for Acorns’ service but running costs stand at £4,500 per day per hospice that’s £450 per bed.
   
   To find out more about Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk