David Tennant has been announced as one of the Campaign Ambassadors for a major new appeal aimed at providing equipment and training for NHS Maternity Units all over the UK. The Monitoring For Mums Appeal was launched by Midlands-based charity Baby Lifeline earlier today.
The background
Now known as one of the UK's biggest mother and newborn charities, Baby Lifeline grew from modest beginnings in Coventry. Former nurse Judy Ledger founded the organisation in 1981, driven by the experience of losing three premature babies, in order to raise funds for a single neonatal incubator for Coventry's Neonatal Unit. Since then the charity has spread and now offers charitable funding to units nationally. Baby Lifeline has raised over £10 million to help purchase specialist equipment and provide training. However it is still a sad fact that 1 in 154 babies are either stillborn or die within 7 days of birth, and 42% of all claims against the NHS are made against maternity departments. Baby Lifeline hopes to reduce these numbers significantly. Judy has told us that the Government is now listening to their concerns, putting money into hospitals and pledging to train 6000 health professionals.
The Appeal
Baby Lifeline has received applications for funding from the majority of NHS maternity units this year. Baby Lifeline’s nationwide Monitoring for Mums appeal will raise funds, region by region, for this much needed technology and training, which will help to give mums and babies the best care possible. Equipment funding requests have so far totalled £5 million and keep coming in, so they need your help.
The Ambassadors
A number of big names from the entertainment scene have joined forces to back the campaign, including Dame Judy Dench and Coronation Street stars Kate Ford and Jimmi Harkishin, sporting hero David Moorcroft, presenter Nick Owen, actor and writer Francesca Martinez, dancer Anton du Beke and chef Shaun Rankin. David Tennant became involved through Bad Penny Productions, the company behind his upcoming romcom You, Me And Him, due out later this year. David's wife Georgia, produced the film on behalf of Bad Penny, whose managing director Phin Glynn was familiar with Baby Lifeline as his mother had worked for them. Phin and his sister Harriet originally suggested to Judy that David could come on board as a supporter.
David says of his role as ambassador:
“It is unthinkable that any child might die that has a chance at life. Baby Lifeline strives to make sure every new baby has all the facilities, care and opportunity they deserve.
Nothing is more important than new life. Please help this amazing charity to do all they can to give the next generation the safest and best possible start.”
Text MMUM16 £5 (or any other desired amount) to 70070 to make individual donations
Click here to see your local hospital's needs and donate directly
For more information about Baby Lifeline visit their website here or follow them via:
Twitter: @BabyLifeline
Facebook: Facebook.com/babylifeline
Instagram: @baby_lifeline
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