In the blogging sphere
It is awards season
I am lucky to have been a finalist
In two sets of blogging awards
For five years now
I have even won an award
A very special award
In memory of Matilda Mae
Are not blogging awards
They are awards that honour survivors of baby loss, celebrate the work of those working in this sad field and raise awareness of organisations providing much needed support
The Butterfly Awards are organised by the very lovely Mel Scott and Jade Deverill
They have popped along to be part of my
#matexp #flamingjune #charitychat
So please grab a cuppa
Read and share
How did The Butterfly Awards begin?
I was fortunate enough to be nominated for, and win the Women Inspiring Women Role Model award in 2011. Attending the event, sharing my story, collecting my award made me realise what a fantastic platform an event like that is for highlighting a cause and raising awareness.
I approached Jade with the fateful words “I’ve got an idea…” Fortunately Jade has fantastic organisational and technical skills. She took my idea, and in 2013 we held the first ever Butterfly Awards. That first year we had 350 nominations over 15 categories and 150 people attended the event. It has gone from strength to strength. We have already received almost 500 nominations this year.
Can you describe a day in the life of your charity?
The event itself is truly memorable. It begins with a red carpet drinks reception and a chance to meet and greet our exhibition sponsors. Our toastmaster then leads people into the stunning dining room, where the emotional evening begins. We begin by lighting our memorial candle, which contains the names of many babies born sleeping, too soon, or too poorly to survive. It’s important to me that these names are known, these little lives honoured. The candle remains lit throughout the evening.
Videos, photos and moving speeches highlight topical issues in the baby loss field before people enjoy a 3 course meal. The 10 winners will be presented with their award and gift in a lovely ceremony, and the evening ends with a party!
Although it is an emotional night, a difficult and mostly hidden topic, actually the evening is inspirational and many lasting friendships and working partnerships are formed there.
How can people donate?
The Butterfly Awards raises funds for Towards Tomorrow Together (which you will hear about later this month). If people would like their babies name featured on the memorial candle they can complete the form and donate.
What more can people do? How can we get involved?
People are able to get involved in several ways. They can
Nominate baby loss parents, professionals, organisations or authors in 10 different categories
Nominations close on 18th June 2015.
Attend the awards evening on Saturday 10th October 2015 at Bank House Hotel, in Worcester. Tickets cost £59 and can be purchased at http://thebutterflyawards.com/index.php/event-tickets
Donate an auction item or raffle prize (please use the contact form to let us know, and we’ll let you know where to send it).
Add your babies name to the candle.
Become an event sponsor http://thebutterflyawards.com/index.php/sponsorships
Any top tips for organising a good fundraising event?
If people have a great time, they’ll remember you and return to other events that you host.
What is your charity’s biggest achievement to date?
I think to take on organising an event on such a grand scale, when the topic is one which is hidden, taboo and difficult to talk about is an achievement in itself. But our biggest achievement I think is in managing to not shy away from the sadness and pain, but balancing it with highlighting inspirational personal stories, and celebrating great care meaning that people leave with smiles around their tears.
What do you hope to achieve in the short term?
We’d love to continue to build upon the success of previous years events.
What are your dreams, long term goals for your charity?
It would be amazing to be able to attract national TV and radio coverage, for this event to be popular despite the topic, for us to find a celebrity who’d love to host the event and further raise it’s profile. We’d love to be able to live stream events in the future, so that people around the world can see – and eventually to host events in other countries.
What is the one thing you wish people knew or understood about babyloss or grief?
That this grief does not end after the first year.
Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
We held an angel in our arms, he left his footprints on our hearts.
Who or what is your inspiration?
My son Finley.
This month is #matexp month of action, where do you feel there are gaps in our maternity services?
Consistency. I think that there is fantastic work going on in pockets around the country and the world. But it isn’t replicated. If great results occur, for example like them reducing the stillbirth rate in Manchester last year by 25%, there should be mechanisms and requirements for this learning to be shared nationally and acted upon quickly.
What can we do to make pregnancy, birth and early parenting better for all?
1:1 care throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth with one, or a small team of midwives who are skilled in both supporting natural, normal birth and recognising and acting upon risk.
What more can we do to support bereaved families?
Consistency! The same services available everywhere you might lose a baby. Recognition of what works, what helps, and why and a commitment of funding and resources to allow this to happen. Quite honestly, it is absolutely staggering the amount of money that bereaved parents contribute to services. I added up the amount of money raised by parents nominated in our Most Committed Fundraiser charity last year. It came to more than £600,000! And that is only the parents who were nominated. I wish that the services were valued enough to be consistently and centrally funded as in my work it is quite clear that there are many hospitals who don’t have provision from 3rd sector services.
I wish Mel and Jade every success with these wonderful awards
Such a wonderful thing to give people chance to share their stories
To remember the babies they have lost
And to thank those who have helped them with their grief
Please support The Butterfly Awards in any way that you can
I am going to have Matilda Mae added to the remembrance candle