X-Factor finalists 4Sure thrilled 11-year-old Shannon O’Reilly and other youngsters at Acorns Children’s Hospice with an impromptu concert when they visited.
The band, who are playing at a ball in Birmingham to help Acorns, left children aglow after spending an hour singing, chatting and signing autographs.
A clip from their moving performance of ‘I swear’ can
be seen on Acorns’ website, www.acorns.org.uk, where there are details of the Hallowe’en Ball in aid of Acorns, at the International Convention Centre on October 27.
They visited life-limited children from all over the region who came to meet the band in person at the hospice in Walsall.
Acorns’ staff nurse Neil Evans said: “The children were all smiling and glowing over the band’s visit.”
And head nurse Ann Smallman added: “It was wonderful that the band were able to spend so long with the children and families. This was really appreciated.”
Singer and manager for 4Sure Donovan Daley said: “It was amazing. It was a humbling expe-rience for us - we really enjoyed it.”
Tickets are on sale now for the glittering ball on October 27 at Birmingham's International Convention Centre (ICC).
TV’s Antiques Roadshow’s Eric Knowles and BRMB’s Tom Ross are on the bill for the night along with Frankie Novak (a Frank Sinatra Tribute )
Staff at Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust are inviting local businesses to help them in organising the event.
The Walsall NHS Trust’s team of four ball organisers have partnered with the ICC in Birmingham to host the ball, with a celebrity host, award ceremony and a charity auction event.
Tom Jinks from Dudley, Sue Smith from Walsall and Lauren O'Shea and Stuart Babiy both from Wolverhampton devised the Hallowe’en Ball idea after attending their own NHS Hospital Trust Ball last year.
Tom said: “We want to support the specialist Acorns nurses who care for hundreds of local families. After recently attending many other events, we have been encouraged to organise something really special.”
“We aim to raise £20,000 for Acorns and really want local bus-inesses to help achieve this. We’re aiming for a really memorable Mid-lands event that, if successful, could turn into an annual occ-asion, so that we can do our bit to help support Acorns.”
Sue Smith added: “We chose Acorns as a benefactor of the ball following news coverage we saw regarding its funding, and how heavily this local charity relies on public funds to keep its invaluable work going.”
The venue can hold up to 1,800 guests. The ticket price (£42.50 each or £40 if 10 or more are requested) includes a four-course formal dinner. For tickets or to help, contact Tom Jinks on 07940 783575 or 01922 721172 ext 7510.