WHEN 150 blue balloons were released over Hereford the life-limited children and their families watching offered up a £4 million prayer of hope, writes ANITA HOWELLS.

Just four weeks later they are celebrating with Acorns Children's Hospice after an impressive £50,000 was counted in the kitty.

The emotive appeal to raise funds to build a hospice for children in the Three Counties has touched hearts across the region.

From Herefordshire, Acorns community fundraising co-ordinator Fran Winterbourn has been inundated with pledges of money and offers of help from individuals and organisations involving hundreds of people.

"The public response towards the Three Counties Appeal has just been tremendous. We have had lots of calls from people wanting to fundraise or adopt Acorns as their charity," said Fran.

A musical evening has been held at Hereford's Welsh Club. The sell out event, starring Elvis, raised £1020 for the appeal.

Amongst other events this month, 156 bikers turned out for Hereford Motorcycle Club's rally to Aberystwyth. It is hoped all the events will raise enough money in time for building to begin this autumn at the hospice site in Worcester's Bath Road.

The charity had already received £250,000 in donations in the lead up to the appeal launch, but since going public donations and pledges have been made totalling £50,000, including £24, 250 from public donations.

"There's a long way to go before we reach our £4million target, but this first month really has helped to get the Three Counties Appeal off to a flying start," added Fran.

Acorns is holding out hope that the children's prayers will be answered.

Meanwhile, a Hereford school head will be striking out for charity when he takes part in a 10-mile ramble on Sunday, May 19.

Hereford Cathedral Junior School's headteacher Tim Lowe will put his best foot forward for six charities, including Acorns Children's Hospice, when he leaves Pengethley Manor Hotel near Ross-on-Wye at 10.30am. The Headmaster's Hike, also in aid of St Michael's Hospice, the Charles Renton Unit, Cancer Vaccine Institute, Imperial Cancer Research Fund and children with leukaemia, will be a route over easy ground and has been planned by the Colonel of Hereford Cathedral School Combined Cadet Force, Andrew Eames.

There will be a barbecue by the hotel swimming pool at the end of the circular walk.

Sponsorship forms are available from Tim Lowe, 28 Castle Street, Hereford, HR1 2NW.

l In a headline on an article in last week's Hereford Times, it was incorrectly stated that a CD had been recorded in memory of Harriet Lowe. However, the article made it clear that Harriet Lowe had made the recording in memory of her friend Abby Panniers and in support of the Acorns Three Counties Appeal and Cancer Research UK.