If you would like to support the NMSF the following link will enable you to donate via Justgiving.com:-
>> www.justgiving.com/nationalmaternityday
Thank you in advance to everyone who donates in aid of the NMSF.
We are looking for supporters of the charity to take part in fundraising events for 2009. If you are thinking of running, cycling, sky diving, competing in a triathlon or anything really, then we want to hear from you.
We have a Bond place in the 2010 London Marathon, so please contact andrew@jakescharity.org to apply.
We are also working in partnership with Charity Challenge who help organise amazing trips and activities to raise money for the NMSF.
You can do anything you like to raise money for the NMSF, from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to a 'sponsored silence' for your school. We would be happy to help you develop any fundraising initiatives or ideas. 100% of any funds raised go towards achieving our key objectives.
If you would like to take part to take part in any events then please contact andrew@jakescharity.org or 'click here' for further details. Thank you in anticipation of your help and support.
Meeting our new lead Patron, Prof Cathy Warwick, CBE
We recently met with our new lead patron Professor Cathy Warwick, CBE who is the General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives (above left). We discusse a number of new initiatives, ranging from joint publications to student midwife scholarships. We covered a range of important issues relating to how we work together to improve maternity services and make a demonstrable difference to those people using the services. The meeting was extremely positive and we are proud of our continuing partnership with the RCM.
National Maternity Day, 29th October
The 29th October is National Maternity Day (NMD) to celebrate the outstanding work of Midwives. In partnership with the RCM the NMD will become the focus of the charity's fundraising activities marking Jake's special day forever.
We have launched a scheme to donate up to the equivalent of 'one day's pay' to mark this special day and to help the NMSF achieve it's key objectives. Please support NMD at www.justgiving.com/nationalmaternityday
Family Fun Day & Charity Raffle, 25th August 2008 Raises £600
A huge thank you to everyone at The Moles Rest, Fifers Lane, Norwich, who kindly hosted a fund raising Family-Fun Day on 25th August 2008 (Bank Holiday Monday), noon until midnight with all monies raised donated to the National Maternity Support Foundation (NMSF). There were four live bands performing throughout the day, and on-going organised children’s activities such as face painting and there was a yummy BBQ and a grand raffle draw; all in all a top fun day for all the family!
Wewould like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kate, Lynne and everyone at The Moles Rest for their excellent support. Thank you to all the local businesses and national companies that have donated prizes for the raffle, namely, Colemans of Norwich, Costessy Golf Club, St. Giles Waffle House, Funky Monkey, Angling Direct, Sunderland FC, Best Selling author Adele Parks, National Magazine Company, Mothercare, Holiday Inn, Asda and Sainsbury's.
NMSF Receives Royal Recognition - Tea At The Palace
We proudly announced that the NMSF has been officially recognised by HM Queen Elizabeth II for it's work in helping others and campaigning to improve maternity services. We were invited to attend Buckingham Palace to take tea with the Queen on the 8th July 2008 to mark our achievements.
Above: Andrew & Rachel Canter outside Buckingham Palace
It was a fantastic day which we thoroughly enjoyed. Jake was most definitely in our thoughts as the sun shone down on the beautiful Palace gardens. Although we did not speak directly to the Queen we were fortunate enough to come within a few feet of her, which was absolutely thrilling. We both will remember the occasion for the rest of our lives and it will inspire us even more to continue the work of the NMSF. Oh and the cucumber sandwiches and cakes were delicious too!
Mum's Buggy Walk in St Albans - A Great Success
A local group of Mum's decided to organise a 'Buggy Walk' in memory of Jake Canter and help the National Maternity Support Foundation continue it's work in helping others. The event took place on Sunday 13th July, 10am at Verulamium Park, St Albans, Hertfordshire. The weather was perfect for both the walk and picnic afterwards. It was a lovely day and we raised a significant amount.
We would like to thank those that helped to organise this event and everyone that came along to make this a successful day. We all completed the two mile circuit raising £1,200 on the day and a further £1,000 which was generously donated by Cereal Partners, giving a fantastic grand total of £2,200. You can still donate by 'clicking here'. Thank you
London Marathon 2008: Anne Graveling ran a tremendous 4 hours 47 minutes raising £3,000 - well done indeed!
Anne poses with her medal after finishing the London Marathon. She was well prepared and ran all the way which was fantastic. She has told us that at no point did she hit the infamous 'wall' but said the rain and hail didn't help! She was absolutely delighted to have run under 5 hours and we are all extremely am proud of her achievement. We thank Anne for running for the NMSF and we are delighted you achieved your excellent time.
Following Anne's marathon success, she has visited a number of schools in Norfolk to talk about her experience. There has been an excellent response from the schools involved who have organised their own sponsored events. These have raised hundreds of pounds for the charity.
Charity Faery Ball For Lizzy & All Lost Children Raises A Magnificent £2,500
This event took place at the Carnglaze Caverns in St Neot, Cornwall on the 24th May 2008. It was a fancy dress night with a Faery twist. Elves, Goblins and other mystical folk were there to dance the night away. Fantasy Folk were on site for the night to do Faery Makeovers sprinkled with Faery dust for that special magical look!
When Lizzie died her parents decided to celebrate her life by raising money for various charities that help others from ever having to cope with such a tragic event. The NMSF would like to say a huge thanks for the magnificent total of over £2,500.00 raised on this magical night. Thank you for your continuing support.
Meeting our lead Patron, Dame Karlene Davis
We met our first leading Patron, Dame Karlene Davis who has now retired as General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives (above left). We discussed several important issues regarding maternity services and how we can work together to make a real difference for those using the services. As a result of our meeting a number of important initiatives were agreed upon. We would like to thank Dame Karlene for all her help and support we received during her time as the RCM's General Secretary.
NMSF invited to speak at RCM AGM
We presented at the RCM's AGM in May 2008 on the subject of bereavement and how we decided to turn a terribly negative experience into positive action. The title of the presentation was “It’s my baby too – a fathers reflection on neonatal loss”. It was extremely well received and we were honoured to have been invited to attend and take part in this important event.
Trek to Mount Everest base raises over £5,000
Picture: Rosie in tour t-shirt created by Matt Hocking at Leap Media & Go Jute
A massive thanks to Rosie Harman who trekked over 5,000 metres up Everest in November 2007. We are eternally grateful to Rosie who did a magnificent job for the NMSF. Thank you to everyone who supported Rosie's trek and donated the charity.
In loving memory of Ella Daisy.
Pictures from the trek...
1. Passing through a Nepalese village along the way
2. Rosie outside the oldest Monestry in Nepal
3. Prayer candles inside the oldest Monestry in Nepal
4. Tibetan prayer flags at Everest Base Camp with messages for our loved ones
Official Launch Day
We chose Jake's 2nd birthday 29th October 2007 as the NMSF's official launch day. Our charter was delivered to the Department of Health with the help of our local MP and patron, Grant Shapps (and 'symbolic' our friend 'Mr. Stork').
The press conference at Port Cullis House, Westminster was attended by Anne Milton, Shadow Health Minister who fully supports the NMSF's objectives. There are a number of policy changes and initiatives that we will be looking to be invloved with in the coming months.
1. Andrew Canter & 'Mr. Stork' delivering the NMSF's charter to the Department of Health (DoH)
2. Andrew Canter, 'Mr. Stork' & Grant Shapps MP (Shadow Housing Minister) outside the DoH
3. Rachel Canter, 'Mr. Stork' & Rosie Harman outside the DoH
4. 'Mr. Stork', Rachel & Ruby Canter, Anne Milton MP (Shadow Health Minister) & Andrew Canter after the press conference at Port Cullis House, Westminster
Grand Prize Draw 2007
The draw took place at The London Inn, St. Neot on Friday 14th December at 8pm. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and helped to raise around £3,000. Those lucky individuals that won have been informed and their prizes are being delivered. A huge thank you to all of the companies below who generously donated prizes and we hope to rely on their continuing support for next year's Grand Prize Draw.
John Lewis/Waitrose, Selfridges, Swatch Group, Conde Nast, National Magazine Company, Blooming Marvellous, Ben & Jerry's, HMV, Eden Project, 2entertain.co.uk
Open House Day 2007
On Friday 31st August 2007 in Norfolk between 11am and 6pm a fund raising event was being hosted by Jake's Nanna, Eileen. It was a great success raising £500 for the charity. The day itself raised £250 from the sale of cakes, jewellery and hand-made cards. A further most generous donation of £250 was made by the construction company May Gurney. We are most grateful to everyone that helped to raise money on the Open House Day.
NMSF in the news...
For the latest news stories scroll to the end of the page
Welwyn Hatfield Times 09/05/07
Link to article in the Welwyn Hatfield Times: http://www.whtimes.co.uk/content/whtimes/news/story.aspx?brand=WHTOnline&category=News&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=newswhtnew&itemid=WEED09%20May%202007%2010%3A47%3A58%3A400
Edgware Times (Times Group Newspapers) 17/05/07
Love It! Magazine 22-28/05/07
London Evening Standard 25/09/07
Link to article in the London Evening Standard:
Welwyn Hatfield Times 26/09/07
Link to article in the Welwyn Hatfield Times:
Welwyn Hatfield Times 07/11/07
Link to article in the Welwyn Hatfield Times:
JC 16/11/07
Link to article in the JC:
Independent 08/01/07
Link to article in the Independent:
Barnet Press 10/01/07
The Sunday Telegraph 25/05/08
Welwyn Hatfield Times 16/07/08
Welwyn Hatfield Times 29/10/08
