FOOTBALL fans are being encouraged to team up with Acorns Children's Hospice for their biggest fund-raiser of the year.

Acorns Day returns on Saturday, March 23, when the charity's partner Aston Villa will aim to hit the £100,000 fund-raising target with a number of activities around their home game versus Stoke City in the Premier League.

Fundraising for Acorns Day will begin ahead of the game, with club staff holding bake sales, sporting challenges and making personal donations.

There is also an eBay auction for some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including mascot places for the Stoke clash and the chance to spend the game in the press box with the media team.

On matchday, there will be a family funday in the Villa Village Indoor Academy, a raffle to win a trip to Legoland, a limited edition programme, donations via text and the match sponsor Beaver Metals will make a donation for every goal scored.

Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, who is the club's ambassador for Acorns, and winger Marc Albrighton launched the appeal for fans to dig deep and help the worthy cause.

Acorns offers a network of care and support to children who have life limiting or life threatening conditions and their families, with a community team giving support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, go to acorns.org.uk.