Restaurant building gifted to children's hospice

The building will be sold off with money raised put towards helping local children

A restaurant has gifted its former building to a children's hospice in tribute to an associate.

Businessman Simon Lewis, who died last year, fundraised for Acorns Children's Hospice in memory of his niece who had been cared for there.

The former Cheal's Restaurant building in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, will be sold in the coming weeks with proceeds being used to help young people.

Chef Matt Cheal said co-owner John Kelly had chosen Acorns with the team's backing as a tribute to close friend Mr Lewis.

The restaurant recently closed its Henley-in-Arden site to move to another in Knowle, near Solihull.

Solihull company director Mr Lewis died when the motorbike he was riding collided with a car near Newton Abbot in Devon last year.

Restaurant co-owner John Kelly with his friend Simon Lewis who died in a motorbike crash

His niece Jasmin had been looked after by Acorns before she died from cancer about ten years ago.

Mr Cheal said Acorns was very close to Mr Lewis, who had raised money for the charity over the years.

"This donation, we all agreed, would be a brilliant tribute to Simon and his family and in the loving memory of his niece Jasmin," Mr Cheal said.

"We couldn’t think of a better charity really. Their work is off the scale."

Acorns provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people, as well as support for their families.

It has three three hospices, based in Worcester, Birmingham and Walsall.