ACORNS Children’s Hospice has announced the appointment of TV star Adil Ray OBE as a patron for the charity.

Acorns, which has its headquarters in Wythall, offers a network of care for life-limited and life-threatened babies, children and young people and their families, across the heart of England.

It is the UK’s and the world’s largest children’s hospice charity.

Adil, writer and actor behind BBC sitcom Citizen Khan, said he was "delighted" to become a patron.

"I recently spoke to some young people who have been cared for by Acorns over many years, and what I heard from them confirmed my own impressions," he said.

"This is a very special local charity, helping children and families facing the toughest imaginable challenges, and I think Acorns deserves all of our support."

Toby Porter, chief executive of Acorns, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Adil Ray has agreed to become an Acorns patron as we approach 2018, our 30th anniversary of caring for children and supporting their families.

"Adil is recognised and respected across our region not just for his acting and broadcasting work, but also as an extremely important advocate for many of the things that we value most deeply at Acorns – compassion, inclusion, diversity, and the importance of communities supporting one another.

“Adil’s engagement and support will be a huge help in raising awareness across Birmingham and the West Midlands for the care provided by Acorns to the children and families that is our privilege to serve."

In the past year, Acorns has provided care for more than 870 children and 1,090 families, including those who are bereaved.