2024 Annual Review
“2024 was a remarkable year for Abigail’s Footsteps. A few achievements to note: delivering training to over 1,100 healthcare professionals nationwide, counselling for more than 100 families and Abi cooling cots delivered to 51 hospitals and hospices. The charity continues to grow and strengthen its governance. Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, with your continued support we can make a difference together.”
“When we launched the charity in 2010, the year after losing Abigail, we had no idea what we could achieve, but we were determined to make a difference. We didn’t realise how much impact we would make in those early days, but only now, as we look back, can we see it has been significant! This achievement has only been possible due to the love and support we received from family, friends, charity colleagues and countless fundraisers over the past fourteen years. We are truly grateful to all of you for your astonishing generosity.”
“My first year as Chair has been an amazing experience. The work our small team does is incredible as we continue to provide cold cots, counselling and training. This could not be achieved without the fundraising and our wonderful donors. Out of such sadness has come great support-Thank You. I am blessed with a great board and in particular my thanks go to Trustee Lynne Sheridan who has reviewed and updated our policies and has led the development of our new strategy for the next five years. There will be challenges over the next few years, but we will continue to evolve to help support baby-loss families in our communities.”
Thank you to GPM, Synapri and Wahl who chose us as their Charity of the Year for 2024.
Synapri raised £9,529 Synapri’s first fundraiser was the festive Christmas Jumper Day. The team also demonstrated their commitment by having two runners participate in the London Landmarks Half Marathon and four runners in the Royal Parks Half. Additionally, they took part in a 5k inflatable challenge, organised bake sales, and held weekly cook-off events in the office.
GPM raised over £10,000 The GPM team completed the Three Peaks Challenge led by Ambassador Tom Gower and Sharon Stanley abseiled down the Lloyd’s building and completed the London Marathon, all in aid of Abigail’s Footsteps.
Wahl raised £5,000 The team said, “Wahl UK has proudly chosen Abigail’s Footsteps as their charity of the year, standing hand in hand with bereaved families. Abigail’s footsteps provide unwavering support for families suffering after the loss of a baby. Together we hope to make a difference in their journey.” Their fundraising started with a Valentine’s Day raffle.
This year we’re thrilled to welcome…
Alyssa Ely-Cook to our team as the Bereavement Donation Coordinator. Alyssa said, “After my own loss, I fundraised for Abigail’s Footsteps, including running the London Marathon and London Landmarks Half Marathon. I’m looking forward to being part of the team.”
Rob Smith has accepted the role of Vice President at Abigail’s Footsteps. Rob, a journalist and TV & radio presenter, was a co-anchor on BBC South East Today news. He joins us to support our work and is committed to making a change.
Additionally, we welcomed Jack Jeffery, Karen McIntyre, and Neil Peck (who has taken on the role of Treasurer) to our Board of Trustees.
2024
Sittingbourne Christmas Lights and Sleigh Rounds raised over £300 from the 1st Iwade Sleigh Round, organised by Danielle Hoynes.
Allen Dadswell Construction Consultants selected Abigail’s Footsteps as one of their Christmas Card Charities. Instead of sending cards, they donated £250 to our cause.
Thank you to the Bluebell Cemetery for their very kind donation of £1,000 towards our charity main aims.
Chris Davis took part in a charity boxing match and raised £760.
Chris said, “My little sister lost her first baby, my nephew. What Abigail’s stand for and what you’re doing means so much to myself and my family. I wanted a charity close to home and couldn’t think of one closer to our hearts than Abigail’s. I know my family would be proud and it means a lot to my sister also.”
Lewis Triplow led MSK in a Tough Mudder Challenge raising £2,185.
A representative from MSK said, “Earlier this year, one of our colleagues received devastating news during one of their scans that they had lost their first baby. As a group, we wanted to support them and other bereaved families where we could by raising funds for Abigail’s Footsteps.”
A team from Abigail’s Footsteps, including ambassadors Keeley Lengthorn, Jack Jeffery, Naomi Marston and Paula Abramson, worked with the Kent Law Society to host a panel event about supporting employees after baby loss.
Four runners took part in the TCS London Marathon in 2024. Well done to Anthony, Ginny, Sharon and Claire, who collectively raised £4,432. Ginny said, “Abigail’s Footsteps means so much to my family, my daughter was given one of their cooling cots when her son was stillborn in February, which meant her and her partner were able to spend as much time with my grandson George as they wanted.”
London Landmarks Half Marathon – We had 50 runners in Team Abigail’s, our biggest team to date. They raised an impressive £50,940 It’s a great day for everyone involved and continues to be our most popular running event.
Team Albie were our top fundraisers and have continued to fundraise throughout the year, totalling over £8,500.
Fifty-five participants split into 8 teams to take part in the 5K Inflatable Challenge at Brands Hatch. This was our largest team to date and they raised £4,653. It was a great day.
Ride London was a fantastic occasion, with 13 riders in our team, cycling 100 miles through London and Essex, raising £10,474. Ambassador Hilary Grierson was on the cheer point with staff members Becky and Kate. They were supporting the Abigail’s team including Hilary’s husband Douglas who was cycling in memory of their son, Hamish
Fay and Trevor enjoyed cycling the route together and raising awareness for Abigail’s.
“As parents we cannot begin to understand the feeling of losing a child. Abigail’s Footsteps are a local charity that help in many ways.”
Abigail’s Specialist Baby Loss Counselling Programme
Since our award-winning counselling programme was established in 2019, we have delivered over 3,000 hours of counselling to over 500 families throughout Kent, London, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. We also delivered over 300 hours of PROP (Professional Reflective Occupational Practice) sessions to healthcare professionals nationwide.
Steven and Paula said, “After a devastating diagnosis our daughter Ella was born sleeping in June 2023. Navigating this tragedy was pretty much impossible and we were in desperate need of support. Shortly after Ella’s birth we were referred to Abigail’s Footsteps. A year on, we would like to give something back and raising money for Abigail’s charity is the absolute least we could do. Thank you, Abigail’s, for everything you have done and everything that you are yet to do.”
Our counselling programme wouldn’t be possible without the support of these Trusts, thank you on behalf of all the families we support.
Cantiacorum Foundation, Persimmon Homes, Hendy Foundation, Kent Community Foundation, The National Lottery Funding For All, Hendy Foundation, Ebbsfleet Trust Community Fund and St James Place Charitable Foundation.
In 2024 we proudly delivered 51 Abi cooling cots
Luton & Dunstable Hospital, in memory of Lois
Luton & Dunstable Hospital, in memory of Navy
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in memory of Tyler
Pinderfields General Hospital, in memory of Isaac
Warwick Hospital, in memory of Danielle & Hannah
University Hospital of North Midlands, in memory of Arlo
North Manchester General, in memory of Harrison
Antrim Area Hospital, in memory of Grace
St George’s Hospital, donated by Croydon Masonic Lodge
Dunningtons Funeral Services, in memory of Noah
Croydon University Hospital, donated by Croydon Masonic Lodge
Derriford Hospital, in memory of Tommy Two cots to Sunderland Royal Hospital, in memory of Lottie
Kingston Hospital, in memory of Raphael
Doncaster Royal Infirmary, in memory of Harry
Calderdale Royal Hospital, privately funded Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, in memory of Beaux
Barnsley Hospital, in memory of Lulah-Reece
St Mary’s Hospital, in memory of Harrison
Wythenshawe Hospital, in memory of Harrison
Princess Royal University Hospital, in memory of Albie
Northwick Park Hospital, in memory of Nellie
Princess Alexanda Hospital, in memory of Archie
Warrington Hospital, in memory of Maeve
Princess Royal Hospital, in memory of Sian
Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, in memory of Lyla
Royal Preston Hospital, in memory of Marley
Leicester Royal Infirmary, in memory of Marley
Forth Valley Women & Children’s Unit, donated by Skilled Careers
Chestnut Tree House Hospice, in memory of George
East Surrey Hospital, in memory of Meila
Royal Free Hospital, in memory of Nakoa
Nottingham City Hospital, in memory of Rían
Sunderland Royal Hospital, in memory of Ella Grace
Two cots to University College London Hospitals, privately funded
James Cook University Hospital, in memory of Isadorah
Medway Maritime Hospital, in memory of Abigail
Princess Elizabeth Hospital, donated by The Ivy Trust Guernsey
North Tees Hospital, in memory of Allie
Poole Hospital, in memory of Jacob
Darent Valley Hospital, in memory of Sienna
Royal Stoke University Hospital, in memory of Marley James
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, in memory of Zak
St. Mary’s Hospital, Newport, in memory of Meila
Bradford Royal Hospital, in memory of Marley James
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, in memory of Marley James
William Harvey Hospital, in memory of Ashley, Aiden and Angel
Two cots to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in memory of Albie
Abigail’s Angels Bereavement Training Programme
Since starting Abigail’s Angels Bereavement Training in 2020 we have provided training to over 5,000 professionals. This year we delivered 35 Abigail’s Footsteps funded training sessions. We funded training for 1098 people, with an average attendance of 31 people per session. Our online training programme continues to be popular and we delivered 21 sessions.
Paula Abramson said, “I was delighted to be asked to be a guest speaker for series two of the Abigail’s Footsteps podcasts, focusing on the benefits of baby loss training. It was also a very special day, to mark the first day of Baby Loss Awareness Week when David and Jo joined us for a training day in London to talk about their personal experience, and why they felt compelled to start the charity.”
Working in partnership with Bereavement Training International we have now completed our fifth year. These training days provide an opportunity not just for learning more about how to support bereaved parents, but also a safe space to share and reflect on how it feels to do this work and how they can support each other.
Lauren Hutton, Midwifery Lecturer at University of Bedfordshire said, “Bereavement training for midwifery students is vital, as it equips them not only with the skills to deliver life but also the compassion and sensitivity to navigate the delicate journey of loss. In honouring both the joys and sorrows of childbirth, they become guardians of empathy, offering solace and support to families in their most vulnerable moments.”
We announced our partnership with Dobbies Garden Centre in Gillingham, Kent.
Abigail’s Footsteps was nominated for the Community Garden project and despite several nominations for other local projects we were delighted to win.
The Abigail’s Team met with Emma, Cydney and Lyn to discuss how they can help with the creation of Abigail’s Garden at Medway Maritime Hospital.
Team Abigail’s met Persimmon Homes Martin Crick and leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple for a £5,000 cheque presentation. The donation will be used to fund counselling for local families.
Cllr Vince Maple said, “It is fantastic to be here today to see Persimmon, through their Community Champions scheme, supporting a brilliant Medway charity. The work that Abigail’s Footsteps do at the most difficult of times for families is outstanding and this funding will support that work in a number of ways.”
The team spent a day at Bluewater Shopping Centre, raising awareness of the incredible work our charity does in the local community.
We are very proud of our ongoing relationship with Bluewater who generously provide a free counselling room for our sessions.
Annual Charity Golf Day 2024
The annual golf day at Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club was well attended. Special thanks to our event sponsors Portal Security Ltd, Senergi and Wahl UK for their ongoing support and to everyone who donated prizes for the raffle.
Huge thanks to PING for once again supplying our event with excellent golfing merchandise, and to our Vice President Craig Chalmers for attending the day.
22 teams raised over £11,500 which will help us continue our work supporting bereaved families and healthcare professionals.
The Abigail’s Board of Trustees received an £18,000 donation from The National Lottery Funding For All which will go towards our bereavement training and baby loss counselling programmes.
Abigail’s Athletic participated in their first Harpers Day tournament, organised by the Forever Finley Charity Team at Tonbridge Angels FC.
Abigail’s Athletic emerged as proud winners, beating five other charity teams to lift the trophy. The team was led by Abigail’s Trustee, Jack Jeffery.
We are also delighted that Chatham Town FC was announced as Abigail’s Athletic home ground.
Thank you to Vice President and Sculptor Louise Giblin who used her incredible talent to create a fundraising ‘Lend a Hand’ exhibition, which was displayed at Rochester Cathedral. The official launch was attended by Cheryl Baker, Paralympian Louise Sugden and rugby star Zainab Alema.
Abigail’s Footsteps supporter, Hayley Navarro displayed a Tree of Remembrance at Lakeside Shopping Centre during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Hayley said, ‘’In memory of my beautiful boy, Raphael, and all those babies gone too soon. It is my hope that by displaying the tree of remembrance in such a public space we will raise awareness of baby loss.”
16 members of Team Abigail’s ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October raising £6,486.
Claire and Carley (pictured) were very proud of their medals.
Abigail’s Footsteps received a generous donation of £7,500 from ShareGift.
The Co Op Community Fund raised £6,362,79. Thank you to everyone that signed up.
Annual Gala
Abigail’s Annual Gala was held at Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel on Saturday 23 November. Thank you to event sponsors; MEMS, MS Webb, Reflect Digital, CC Cousins and Auto Wrights Repair Centre.
David Ward MBE and his wife Jo, were joined by Trustees, Vice Presidents, Ambassadors and our Patron Lady Astor. The evening raised a staggering £30,560. Thank you to everyone who made the annual gala a huge success, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Abigail’s Footsteps co-founders David and Jo Ward, and Charity Ambassador Cheryl Baker, visited Medway Maritime Hospital on Tuesday 17 December to officially hand over a new version of the Abi Cooling Cot to the maternity bereavement team. David Ward MBE said, “Jo and I are proud to present the first new Mark 4 Abi Cooling Cot to Medway Maritime Hospital in Abigail’s memory.”
The new design includes a softer outer colour and insert, giving the cot a more sympathetic appearance for families. It also features an integrated digital temperature display, making it both effective and user-friendly for maternity bereavement teams. The plaque design has also been changed so parents can keep a piece of it in the shape of a heart, in a keepsake box.
Ali Herron, Director of Midwifery for Medway NHS Foundation Trust said, “These cots offer grieving parents the opportunity to spend additional precious time with their baby before they have to say goodbye, something which would not have been possible without them. We are extremely grateful to Abigail’s Footsteps for ensuring we have this vital piece of equipment in our maternity bereavement suites.”
It’s been a truly inspirational year ending on a high with the New Year’s Honours list recognising Abigail’s Footsteps founder David Ward. He was awarded an MBE from His Majesty King Charles III. The citation for the Member of the Order of the British Empire reads; Founder and Trustee Abigail’s Footsteps For Services to Bereaved Parents Particularly in Kent.
David Ward MBE, Founder and Trustee, Abigail’s Footsteps said, “I am honoured to accept this award from His Majesty on behalf of myself and Jo, who equally deserves recognition, and all of the bereaved families that we have supported over the years. This award honours the memory of our daughter Abigail and acknowledges the wonderful, groundbreaking work that the Abigail’s team has accomplished over the past 15 years.”
There are many people we would like to thank for their support, hard work and dedication.
Our Patron, Vice Presidents and Trustees for giving their time, guidance and support. Our fundraisers, supporters and volunteers for never failing to amaze and humble us with their extraordinary determination, devotion and commitment.
Finally, to our sponsors and donors, 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.