Our Charity Ball is a beautiful and inspirational event which not only brings awareness of baby and child loss but it highlights the amazing people we have had the pleasure to work with.
We like to use the event to celebrate the achievements that we have made over the last 12 months and also celebrate the achievements of others within the charity as well as outside agencies and individuals.
We were really pleased to have photographers Chris & Jen come along to take pictures throughout the night.
It still amazes us how so many people want to help us.
Guests were greeted with a smile and a welcome drink as they entered the venue quickly followed by their first photo opportunity.
We were very happy to welcome our host for the event, Fay Louise Purdham, who wore the most stunning dress. She was so enthusiastic and wanted to find out everything about the charity and the work we do to support families.
Fay gave a welcome to all the guests and later helped announce the winners of the awards as well as then handing out the medals & awards.
The first award was for Young Fundraiser.
We had many nominations and we found this category the hardest to choose a winner as all the children put up for the award deserved recognition for their commitment.
In the end we decided to have a runners up prize which was given to a group of girls who have raised lots of money over the last year for charity. The girls had put so much effort into raising money despite their young years and truly deserved their medals.
The winner of the Young Fundraiser was Alexander (AJ) Murphy. AJ decided to raise money for charity after his brother, Oliver, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia last August aged 18 months. AJ has taken part in lots of events from selling wristbands and cakes to running the 1K Reindeer run. In total he has raised over £1000 in just over 12 months.
Raising money for the charities was AJ's way of helping him cope whilst also giving back to those that had helped his family.
Best Bereavement Service (Hospital or Community) was our next award. The winners of this award were Leeds Bereavement Liaison Office. They deal with all the deaths within the trust and liaise with families, police, coroners office and many more. They make sure that families are supported and helped during a distressing time and can trace family members and arrange funerals for those who have no next of kin. They try to make the process a little easier on the relatives.
Bereavement Support Worker Award was awarded to Sharon Mobbs from the Bereavement Liaison Office. Sharon deals with all the baby and child deaths within the trust. She was nominated by many families for the level of help and support she gave them at a time when they were dealing with the most difficult loss of their lives. She would make sure that the families were kept fully informed as well as referring onto appropriate agencies for extra support. The families who put Sharon forward all said that if she had not been there they don't know how they would have coped.
Midwife of the Year went to Alison Bowes, Bereavement Midwife for Leeds NHS Trust.
A specialist bereavement midwife is someone who understands what the families are faced with following a loss. They are there to support families following a fatal diagnosis as well as families that lose their child during birth or soon after. Alison was nominated by families who she has supported and who have said that her support was amazing.
Inspirational Individual of the Year went to Hayley Martin.
Hayley and her husband Scott were given the devastating news last year that their much loved baby had a condition called Bilateral Renal Agenisis and that she would not live long after birth. Despite this they chose to bravely continue with the pregnancy to try and help other babies by donating their Ava-Joy's tissue. They have since decided to build a legacy for Ava-Joy and will help families by providing them with 4D scans and Memory Making kits. Hayley would also like to eventually train as a Bereavement Midwife.
Corporate Fundraiser went to LHA Car & Commercial.
LHA have supported the charity throughout the last year and are continuing their support. They have regular 'bulb & puncture repair' days where customers make a donation to us instead of being charged for the work carried out by the garage. They have also been sponsors for events and have donated prizes for our raffles. In the last year they have raised well over £1000.
Oustanding Fundraiser went to Mark Wilson. Despite having Parkinson's Mark has never let it get him down and rather than just sitting back he decided to raise funds for Parkinsons UK. He has organised and hosted many Comedy Nights and so far he has raised £25,200.
Special Thank You Award went to Sarah Markillie. Sarah set up Middleton Mini Tots after finding that there was very little to do in her area. She now runs a successful group which provides a safe and enjoyable place for mums and dads to come with their children. They provide friendship, food, activities and even trips.
Outstanding Volunteer went to Paul Scully-Sloan
Paul set up the first closed international Daddys with Angels group in December 2010. The group provides a safe place for male family members to open up following the loss of a child. Unfortunately Paul was not able to attend due to illness so a friend/colleague came to accept the award on his behalf.
Special Recognition Award went to Rhiann & Amy Curtis and Chloe Hill for their enthusiasm and commitment to helping the charity in any way they can. This has been through fundraising, baking cakes and making up hundreds of bereavement packs.
The evening was a great success and we raised the fantastic amount of £3000.
We look forward to seeing everyone again at our 4th Charity Ball in 2019.
Thank You so much to everyone of you that has supported and helped us to make 2018's Ball such an amazing night.
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