2022 Annual Review
“We have seen real growth within the charity this year. We are halfway through receiving funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and it’s making a substantial difference to the number of services we can offer. We have increased the funding of our bereavement training and baby loss counselling programmes, helping us reach more families and healthcare professionals than ever before. This funding will importantly allow us to build on the infrastructure needed to grow our charity. The impact of our small charity continues to be felt far and wide. Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, with your continued support we can make a difference together.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the incredible job the Abigail’s office team do running the charity’s day to day business while supporting families and healthcare professionals. We are delighted to have donated over 100 Abi cooling cots, which my wife Jo and I feel this is such an important legacy in memory of our daughter Abigail and we only wish they were not needed. As the charity continues to grow, I feel humbled to know the difference we are making to bereaved families across the country.”
“This year I accepted the position of temporary Chair of the Abigail’s Board, while a new Chairperson was found, and I look forward to handing over the baton in 2023 to a very capable pair of hands. Since I joined the Board in 2015, I have seen the charity grow each year. It’s not only been an honour to be an integral part of the Abigail’s team but it’s been a great experience to focus on supporting families when they need it most. I’m now enjoying the start of my retirement from Handelsbanken, and I wish Abigail’s every success.”
We were delighted to be named Charity of the Year by these two Kent businesses. It was incredible to receive their support and raise awareness locally.
Pentagon Centre in Chatham raised £987 through collection pots in their stores, £650 competing in the Dragon Boat race at Chatham Maritime and £276 at their One Great Day event. An amazing total of over £2,000 which will really help us support bereaved families..
Centre Manager Charlene Malone said, “The Pentagon Shopping Centre was delighted to support Abigail’s Footsteps this year. This is a charity close to my heart, as one of my close friends lost their beautiful baby daughter in 2021 and was supported by Abigail’s Footsteps. We have had great fun organising and attending events, including “One Great Day” where we set up a pop-up playhouse for children to enjoy. Taking part in a sponsored Dragon Boat Race was tough, but so much fun to be involved with and attending the Annual Charity Gala was a fantastic night and was wonderful to be part of. I wish you all the best for your future fundraising!”
Capital Space raised £485 through various events, held across the year at their offices in Kings Hill. These included a Valentine’s Day wine event, an Easter raffle and much more.
Toni Wilkinson, Centre Manager of Capital Space, joined our annual gala in September to collect a certificate on behalf of Capital Space, awarded by our co-founder David Ward.
2022
This stunning Christmas lights display was enjoyed by many local residents in Herne Bay. Keith Mannering raised £670. Thank you to everyone who stopped to enjoy and donate to our charity.
Emma & Jake held a fundraising event in memory of their daughter, Florrie and raised £4,059 which was generously split between Abigail’s Footsteps and two other baby loss charities.
Anthony took on an Iron Man challenge with a difference. Dressed as ‘Abigail Bear’, he was officially half man, half bear! Anthony raised £3,832!
The challenge, totalled 113km; consisting of a 90km cycle, a 21.1km half marathon and a 1.9km swim (replaced by a row due to costume restrictions!)
Anthony received corporate sponsorship totalling £2,500 from Fortitude Nicsa Global Ltd. The money Anthony raised has enabled the charity to purchase an Abi cooling cot in memory of Anthony’s close friends Charlotte and Pete who sadly lost their son George.
“Anthony is such a hero! He has tirelessly raised funds for Abigail’s Footsteps over the last few years, but this one really takes the biscuit! Rowing, cycling, and running a half marathon – in a bear costume! Anthony, you are a true star!”
Cheryl Baker, Vice President, Abigail’s Footsteps
London Landmarks Half Marathon 2022
This was our biggest fundraising event of the year where 25 runners joined #teamabigails They collectively raised a staggering £26,647 for the charity.
Thank you to Infinity Outdoor for kindly sponsoring our post-race drinks reception at Tattershall Castle along the embankment. Our runners and their supporters were welcomed with a well-deserved glass of fizz and time to share their race-day experiences.
Sophia & Anthony Burke were part of our team of runners for this year, raising funds in memory of their son Tom. They did an amazing job raising over £4,500 for us.
Jack Jeffery was also part of our team of runners raising funds in memory of his daughter Oliva Rose Jeffery. Jack absolutely smashed his target raising over £8,000. Not only was he our top fundraiser, but he was the 5th highest fundraiser out of the 14,000 runners who took part in the LLHM. Jack was awarded running BIB 5 and started right at the very front of the race which was an amazing achievement!
RHS Malvern Spring Festival. The garden, thoughtfully designed by Rick Ford and created on behalf of Abigail’s Footsteps is intended to be a calming place where parents and families, grieving the loss of a baby, can sit together, contemplate and reflect.
Designed as a series of interconnected spaces, that reflect the transitions that parents experience, the garden has a tranquil planting palette, featuring soft textured and scented plants. Cheryl Baker & Rick Ford The seating area provides privacy and a feeling of enclosure to enable parents to feel at ease when managing their grief. Seeing the garden featured on BBC1’s Gardeners World was a very proud moment for our charity and for Rick.
Faversham Town FC – Under 13’s Kent Youth League players, parents and coach took on the 5K Inflatable challenge at Brands Hatch in May. As you can see from the photo, they had a lot of fun and raised £1,620. Well done to everyone that took part.
Alex Robertson and Ben Hamer took on an incredible journey to raise money for Abigail’s Footsteps and Young Minds. The lads set off from Faversham Town Football Club and embarked on a 345 mile walk to Lands’ End which took them just over 2 weeks! Abigail’s received £1,500 of their fundraising total and we can’t thank them enough.
In June we welcomed a wonderful group of people to the House of Lords, for an evening reception hosted by Lord and Lady Astor of Hever.
The event commemorated the 10 year anniversary of the first cot donation. Since then over 100 Abi cooling cots have been delivered nationwide, in partnership with The Bond Group. Thank you to everyone that came along. Tom and Katie Galvin were awarded a certificate of thanks, for raising over £15,000 at the beginning of the year and donating 7 Abi cooling cots in memory of their daughter Lottie.
Annual Charity Golf Day 2022
Everyone had a fantastic time at our Annual Charity Golf Day in June at Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club. All 18 teams praised the course and want to return. Thank you to everyone who came along and well done to the winners. Special thanks to our Vice President Craig Chalmers and sports company Ping for donating prizes for the raffle and auction. Thank you to our sponsor FLR Spectron and to Adam Smith for his auctioneer skills, encouraging everyone to put their hands in their pockets for our great cause and raising over £6,500.
Abigail’s Specialist Baby Loss Counselling Programme
Our counsellors, Naomi Marston and Jenny Bradshaw, have helped support over 100 families in Kent and surrounding counties this year, with over 600 sessions funded by Abigail’s Footsteps.
Naomi Marston said, “Our counselling service has continued to be a great success, as we continue to give parents the options of online or face to face counselling, or they can do a mix of both. My colleague Jenny has now been delivering counselling to our parents for just over a year, which has enabled us to support bereaved parents in a wider geographical location.”
This year, we have counselled more couples than the previous year, which may be a reflection of hospitals lifting Covid restrictions. With time, we are seeing an increase in the hospitals and the bereavement midwives that refer to our service and we continue to build good relationships with bereavement midwives in our referring hospitals.
“I did not know what to expect from counselling but went with my wife, initially to give her support. Naomi was really good in making us both feel as ease, and before I knew it, I was able to tell my story and talk about my feelings, that I had kept from telling my wife, in case I hurt her more. It was valuable to have some sessions together and some on our own. Thank you so much, this has been priceless for us.” – Parents supported with Abigail’s Footsteps funded counselling.
Our goals for 2023
To meet the demand for our counselling service, we will be introducing a third counsellor to the team. We are also establishing a Professional Reflective Occupational Practice (PROP) service for healthcare providers that support bereaved parents. We recognise the emotional impact on professionals caring for bereaved families and the personal and professional challenges this may bring, which is why we hope to support healthcare professionals by funding six private, confidential PROP sessions.
In 2022 we delivered 28 Abi cooling cots to…
Princess Royal Hospital in memory of Lottie, born 7 August 2021 St Helier Hospital in memory of Lottie, born 7 August 2021 The Princess Alexandra Hospital in memory of Lottie, born 7 August 2021 Epsom Hospital in memory of Hamish, born 3 May 2012 Broomfield Hospital in memory of Elias, born 28 October 2021 T Cribb & Sons in memory of Rose, born 27 February 2022 St Mary’s, Poole in memory of Andrew, born 10 July 2006 Watford General Hospital in memory of Aiyla, born 18 April 2022 Worcester Royal Hospital in memory of Rose, born 22 February 2022 Womens Hospital Somerset in memory of Oliver, born 31 January 2018 Southmead Hospital in memory of Oscar, born 3 July 2021 Leicester Royal Infirmary in memory of Mabel, born 7 April 2021 Wrexham Maelor Hospital in memory of Lottie, born 7 August 2021 Musgrove Park Hospital in memory of Oscar, Millie & Clementine Prince Charles Hospital, Wales in memory of Olivia, born 04/06/21 West Middlesex University Hospital in memory of Oscar, born 03/07/21 Grange University Hospital, Wales in memory of Oscar, Millie & Clementine George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton in memory of Oscar, Millie & Clementine Royal Maternity Hospital, in Belfast Furness General Hospital, Cumbria in memory of Luca, born 8 November 2021 Leicester General Hospital donated by Fallow Management Royal Derby Hospital, in memory of Lottie, born 7 August 2021 Ulster Hospital, Belfast in memory of Lorcán, born 27 April 2022 Queens Medical Centre, in memory of Cruz, born 3 January 2022 Royal Derby Hospital, in memory of Cruz, born 3 January 2022 City Hospital in memory of Hazel, born 25 August 2021 Blackpool Hospital in memory of Ronnie, born 3 September 2017 Wythenshawe Hospital in memory of Frederick, born 9 August 2021
Abigail’s Angels Bereavement Training Programme
Paula Abramson from Bereavement Training International said, “We are delighted and privileged to continue our partnership with Abigail’s Footsteps, reaching out to so many professionals during a time when this type of training and support has arguably been more important than ever. Thank you so much for your continued support, ensuring we are able to continue to offer this much needed training.”
South West Bereavement Midwives Forum
Working in collaboration with Abigail’s Footsteps we also delivered six 2 hour online training sessions and one full day in-person training session for a group of bereavement midwives in the South West.
“I had training with Paula today and I am so enriched with a new fountain of knowledge to support women and their families, not only as a midwifery student now, but as a midwife too once I’ve qualified.”
Jacorine Dew. Second year midwifery student.
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the fabulous study day that you provided for us. It was so informative and we all learnt so much. The feedback we are receiving from those that attended has been great and some have come to find me just to tell me how much Paula had inspired them to learn more about bereavement care. Thank you so much to both of you for providing such a wonderful resource.”
Debbie Thorpe. Specialist Bereavement Midwife, Royal Surrey Hospital
We were delighted to announce four new Trustees to the board; Taryn Smith, Lynne Sheridan, Christina Bowden and Kate Harris. They will strengthen our team with their expertise to help support us to achieve our aims and we look forward to working together to help bereaved families.
Lynne Sheridan said, “I am delighted to have been asked to become involved with Abigail’s Footsteps, having previously worked with David and Jo in a role I held in an NHS Trust. The Trust received enormous support from the Charity and I was so inspired by the fantastic work it does, I feel honoured to now be asked to work with the Team more directly.”
The professional standards position on our Board has been filled by Kate Harris, Head of Midwifery at Medway Maritime Hospital. In 2016 Kate was instrumental in the conception and delivery of a bereavement suite funded by Abigail’s Footsteps at Medway Maritime Hospital. Abigail’s Place provides a space where bereaved families can stay within the hospital to spend time with their babies away from the main maternity ward, but with healthcare professionals close by.
Kate Harris said, “I have over 20 years Midwifery experience as well as a personal and professional ambition to standardise and improve bereavement care for families. I am thrilled to become part of the Abigail’s vision in supporting families and healthcare professionals.” David Ward, Co-founder and Trustee for Abigail’s Footsteps said, “Earlier this year, we were fortunate to cross paths with Christina Bowden, Director of Bowden PR, at a Dartford FC event at Princes Park, to raise funds towards an Abi cooling cot. Christina was writing an article about the charity football match, and we quickly realised what an incredible asset she would be to our board. As a charity, we do a lot of work in the baby loss community, but lack the ability to publicise the impact we make. We are confident that with Christina as a Trustee, her expertise and advice will help us to plan and develop our PR and communications strategy.”
Annual Gala
We had a fantastic night, commemorating the 12th anniversary of Abigail’s Footsteps at a Gala at the Rochester Corn Exchange. A huge thank you to KMFM Radio presenter Nicola Everett for being our MC for the evening and agreeing to become an Ambassador for Abigail’s Footsteps. The evening raised over £12,000! Thank you to everyone who joined us to commemorate this milestone or placed a bid on the online auction. Fundraisers and supporters were awarded certificates, acknowledging their achievements which means, we can deliver much needed support to baby loss families. Our guests had a great time dancing and singing along to the Take This and West End Jersey Boys.
A huge thank you to our corporate sponsors
The night wouldn’t have been possible without; our very own Anthony Chapman who greeted guests as Abigail the Bear, Singer Katie Sanne, Auctioneer Chris Cowdrey, Ground Zero AV, Chic Event Hire, Balloon House, JH Sound and Events, Forks and Corks, Magnetic Entertainment, Givergy, Spectrum Signs, Bravo Productions, Frame-Us Memorabilia, Printing & Paper Company, Marsh Graphic Design, Jascom Electrical Contractors and all the generous individuals and companies that donated raffle and auction prizes, and Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club for our lucky squares star prize!
Great North Run – Five runners collectively raised an amazing £2,635 taking on this challenge. Elle & Billy raised over £1,000 for their close friend Jodie Taylor, whose baby boy Louie was born sleeping. Harriet & Linda, both Midwives at Medway Maritime Hospital, raised over £1,000. Philip Proudman, Sales & Marketing Director at The Bond Group [working in partnership with The Abi Cooling Cots] raised over £400. Harriet said, “Linda and I felt incredibly privileged to raise money and run the Great North Run for Abigail’s Footsteps in 2022, we hope that the funds raised will go some way to support the noble work that you do. We are indebted to the support Abigail’s brings to our bereaved families here at Medway Hospital and are truly humbled at the dedication of the charity in supporting us to care for families through the most exceptionally challenging of circumstances. Thank you.”
Five runners took part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon for #teamabigails, together raising an impressive £6,087. Amber Douglas raised £3,000 in memory of her daughter Minnie, Alex Miller raised over £1,000 in memory of her son Rowan and friends Tara Hepden, Charlene Malone and Steve Nie raised over £1,800 in memory of their friend’s daughter Oliva.
We had two runners in the iconic London Marathon. Paul Bateman raised £1,638 in memory of his dear friend’s son Aziah and Sue Woodhouse raised £5,330 as part of her 10k challenge in memory of Kit.
Sue said, “I was honoured to be able to run the London Marathon for Abigail’s Footsteps in memory of my friend’s little boy Kit. The support I received from everyone at Abigail’s was amazing – there was always someone at the end of the phone or email to chat to. They even sent my Mum some event materials to support my fundraising! I was so proud to raise money for them and the incredible work they do to support families going through baby loss.”
“Abigail’s Footsteps is more than a resource for parents; it supports long term development in the care for bereaved families and educates, counsel’s and connects people, ensuring not only the vital support for parents following the loss of a child but advocating for change. The charity is training and shaping, present and future care givers, demystifying the complexities of baby loss and creating a space for memories to be made with their supply of Abi Cooling Cots. Abigail’s supported us in our darkest hours and so raising awareness and donations for them is a privilege we hope to continue.” said Sarah Jackson, Kit’s Mum.
Say My Baby’s Name; Pregnancy After Loss
At the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week, we were proud to officially launch, our new training film, a follow up to the award winning ‘Deafening Silence’ produced in 2013. ‘Say My Baby’s Name; Pregnancy After Loss’ is a long-awaited sequel and will enhance Abigail’s Angels funded training programme. The screening followed by a Q&A session, hosted by TV presenter Rob Smith, took place at Curzon Cinema Soho. The invited audience, included Patron Lady Astor of Hever, charity co-founder David Ward and Vice President Cheryl Baker. Thank you to our panellists; Jo Hanlon, mother to Jaxon, bereavement midwife Sharon Hurst, scriptwriter Guy Ducker, actor Stefan Asante-Boateng, and Abigail’s Footsteps Ambassador & training facilitator Paula Abramson.
Thank you to The Burdett Trust for Nursing and The Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust for supporting the making of this film. It wouldn’t have been possible without the funding they provided. Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for your continued support with our bereavement training programme for health care professionals.
Thank you to all the parents and professionals, that helped with the script and gave up their time to attend focus groups, to Medway Maritime Hospital for allowing us to shoot there and to bereavement midwives Sam Collinge, Yvonne Morrison and Dannii Burnett for being the clinical advisory team throughout the project.
Wave of Light at Rochester Cathedral
We were grateful to partner with Rochester Cathedral for our annual ‘Wave of Light’ service on Saturday 15th October.
Thank you to Ben Gibbs and Visual Elements for lighting the cathedral pink and blue as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Thank you to our fundraisers for every donation.
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raised by Natalie Warren holding a family fun day in memory of her son Andrew
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raised by Jack Tompkins running the Brighton Half Marathon in memory of his friends son Kit
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raised by Rob Fryer running the Brentwood Half Marathon
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donated in loving memory of Davina Powell
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donated by Dartford Tyres 2000
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donated by Lullaby Photography
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donated in loving memory of Jude Triplow
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donated from Kent Police Vs Fire Brigade boxing match
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donated by a Dartford FC Charity football match
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raised by Tom Gower in memory of his son
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raised through Medway Lottery
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raised through birthday fundraisers on Facebook
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raised by our Vice President Cheryl Baker on Celebrity Mastermind
We announced new Ambassadors, we can’t thank our Ambassadors enough for the time, effort and dedication they put in to supporting our charity. We couldn’t do it without you, thank you for being a valuable part of our team.
Nicola Everett has been a great supporter of our charity for many years and we’re delighted Nicola agreed to be an Abigail’s Ambassador for the vital work we do in the baby loss community.
Tom Gower has been one of our biggest fundraisers, arranging golf days, darts competitions and running marathons, in memory of his son Oliver. Thank you for your tremendous support.
Hilary Grierson has fundraised tirelessly and donated several Abi Cots in memory of her son Hamish, Hilary’s dedication to supply cold cots to hospitals across the United Kingdom has been an inspiration.
Anthony Chapman, also known as Abigail the Bear, our official mascot, is willing to get involved and commit every effort to raise awareness & funds for our charity.
Sam Collinge is Bereavement Support Specialist Midwife at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, was a Trustee for 7 years and remains a huge asset to our charity, for the support and experience she offers.
Molly Hope is a fantastic supporter and fundraiser for Abigail’s in the local area, providing several cots to hospitals in memory of her son Blake. Thank you for everything you do.
Finally, there are so many people I would like to thank for their support, hard work and dedication.
Our patron, vice presidents and trustees continue to give their valuable time, guidance and support. Our fundraisers, supporters and volunteers never fail to amaze and humble us with their quite extraordinary determination, devotion and commitment. Our sponsors and donors, (both private and corporate) for their continued goodwill, generosity of spirit, time and resources. Our sincerest gratitude to all of you for everything you do to make what we do possible.