Saying Goodbye Ambassadors
Saying Goodbye is delighted to have the following wonderful people as our ambassadors. We are so grateful for their support and statements endorsing our work.
Professor Lord Robert Winston
Professor Lord Robert Winston is a professor, medical doctor, scientist and television presenter.
Statement of Support
Miscarriage and stillbirth is often something that’s not acknowledged or talked about in the UK, and people certainly do not appreciate how utterly distressing it is for parents, and indeed their extended families. It’s a loss of a precious life, and whether the loss happens in early or late pregnancy, at birth or in infancy it’s traumatic, and a natural grief process must be allowed to happen. Sadly a lot of doctors and nurses see loss on such a regular basis, the right support and follow up advice is just not offered, which results in vast amount of parents never coming to terms with losing their baby, and sadly they are not able to move forward with their lives as they become stuck in a cycle of grief.
I am delighted to be an ambassador for The Mariposa Trust an organisation dealing with the suffering caused by miscarriage and stillbirth, by not only offering crucial support to those who need it, but by also working with hospitals, trusts and many other key organisations to support and advise on fundamental changes that can help bereaved individuals. The primary division is Saying Goodbye - Saying Goodbye offers support and befriending to anyone who has lost a baby, and it also runs national remembrance services, which allow families to come together to mourn their lost babies. The services are held at cathedrals across the UK, and more information can be found at www.sayinggoodbye.org. The charities support is offered by six divisions, another one of them being GrowingYou which offers support to anyone who is pregnant following loss, as the fear of losing again can be profound for many people: www.growingyou.org.
The charity was founded by Zoe and Andrew Clark-Coates, who themselves have lost five babies. Having experienced this agonising pain and grief themselves, they are perfectly placed to not only offer wonderful support but also to be a voice in the national media and at a governmental level.
I am so proud to be supporting the Mariposa Trust and their ground-breaking work. Because of the vast range of services and support the charity offers, families are now better supported and know that their loss has been recognised. The causes of miscarriage and stillbirth still need to be more widely understood, but this dynamic organisation is helping tens of thousands of people each and every month.
Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale, is known globally as a leading actress, appearing in much loved films such as 'Serendipity' and 'Much Ado About Nothing', as well as the 'Underworld' franchise and numerous other Hollywood hits.
Kate comments "I am delighted to join the Mariposa Trust, the leading bereavement charity (also known by the name of its primary support division ‘Saying Goodbye’) as an International Ambassador. The charity, which provides vital support for anyone affected by baby and child loss, is an organisation close to my heart, as I lost a baby at 20-weeks gestation. I understand the loneliness and isolation that others have gone through and are going through even today, and I want to lend my voice to join with others and declare ‘Every Baby Matters’, and each one deserves to be acknowledged and remembered."
"The Mariposa Trust, is at the forefront of providing information, advice, resources, befrienders, books and so much more, as well as working with government and other leaders to ensure that every person who suffers baby loss, receives the best possible medical care and support while they are sadly suffering a loss, but also that they have access to the best post loss support, so that no-one suffers in silence."
Dame Floella Benjamin
Baroness Floella Benjamin is best known as a children's TV presenter, and for her work as a campaigner for children's rights and safety. As a Peer in the House of Lords, she is leading the Mariposa Trust bill looking at the introduction of a National Loss Certificate.
Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lawson is a food writer, journalist and broadcaster - best known as a TV Chef.
Sally Phillips
Sally Phillips has for the last 15-years blazed a trail as a comedy actress and writer. She has starred in blockbusters such as the Bridget Jones trilogy, as well as in TV shows such as Miranda and Smack the Pony and on numerous Radio shows.
Jools Oliver
Jules Oliver is an author and fashion designer. She's a mum of five and is married to the TV Chef and Healthy Eating campaigner Jamie Oliver.
Kate Ferdinand
Kate Ferdinand has quickly become one of the UK’s most relatable women. In 2019 Kate married professional footballer Rio Ferdinand and has taken on the role of step-mum to his three young children and at the beginning of 2020 their intimate documentary “Rio and Kate: Becoming a Stepfamily” aired on BBC One.
In December 2021 Kate released her new venture Blended, a platform for blended families to share their experiences and advice.
Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh is an Award Winning Actress and Singer, who over the past 15-years has become a household name in the UK. She is a passionate campaigner for change, and personally knows the pain of loss, after the loss of her son Archie in 2009.
Mary Nightingale
Mary Nightingale is one of the most familiar faces on TV, as one of the main presenters of the ITN News
Sarah Hadland
Sarah Hadland is an English actress best known for her role as Stevie Sutton in the BBC One BAFTA-nominated comedy television series Miranda.
Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE
Jacqueline is visiting Professor of Midwifery at Kings College London and London South Bank University. Her experience has led to her leading and influencing national maternity standards and guidance both nationally and internationally through research, education and publications.
Gabby Logan MBE
Gabby is a TV Presenter, Sports Presenter, Journalist and former Gymnast.
Ronni Ancona
Veronica "Ronni" Ancona is a Scottish actress, impressionist and author. She first became well-known as a result of appearing in the BBC's BAFTA award winning The Big Impression.
Caroline Quentin
Caroline Quentin is an actress and comedienne, who over the last three decades has entertained the nation.
Briony May Williams
Briony May Williams rose to fame on the Great British Bake Off, where she quickly became one of the nations favourite home cooks. Since then she has joined Channel 4's 'Food Unwrapped' team exploring her passion for food.
Dr Jacque Gerrard MBE
Dr Jacque Gerrard is the former Royal College of Midwives Director for England and now works as a Midwifery Consultant.
I am absolutely delighted to be an ambassador of Saying Goodbye charity. The help and support that this charity provides to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through pregnancy and childbirth is unique. The sensitive service gives families a real opportunity to say their goodbyes in a supportive but positive environment irrespective of the gestation of the pregnancy loss or age of the baby.
Lou Conran
Lou Conran is an award winning Comedian who tragically suffered baby loss herself, and is passionate about breaking down the taboo's that surround the subject. She also took on a monumental challenge to raise £50K for the charity.
Adele Silva
Adele Silva is a well-known TV and Stage Actress and TV Personality who for nearly 20-years has appeared in shows such as Emmerdale, Eastenders, Dr Who and more.
Julie Etchingham
Julie Etchingham is a British television newsreader and journalist. She is the co-presenter of ITV News at Ten.
Lord & Lady Sentamu, Former Archbishop of York
Lord Sentamu, (the former Archbishop of York until his retirement in 2020), and Lady Sentamu are delighted to be Ambassadors for Saying Goodbye.
Ruby Hammer MBE
Ruby Hammer MBE is an internationally acclaimed Fashion and Beauty Make-up Artist, Columist, co-founder of Ruby & Millie and co-founder and director of Scarlett & Crimson Cosmetics.
Professor Lesley Page CBE
Lesley Page is president and board member of the Royal College of Midwives. Lesley is Visiting Professor of Midwifery at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King’s College London.
Statement of Support
As a midwife for many years, and through my community of family and women friends, I am aware of the terrible grief of the loss of a baby, through miscarriage or stillbirth. I remember when ‘it’ was not spoken about and the parents were left in a shadowy bereavement where grief could not be shown or was not recognised.
When I was Professor of Midwifery at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in London I was contacted by a woman who had lost her baby in miscarriage many decades before, and she contacted me to ask if I knew where her baby might have been buried. She had never forgotten.
Zoe and Andrew Clark Coates the Founders of Saying Goodbye know this grief, the grief of loss of your baby and also the promise of new life, of a newly formed family, of joy. Saying goodbye to the baby you love is heartbreaking.
I am delighted to act as Ambassador for this wonderful new organisation that offers National services and International support to all those who know loss first hand, or for the extended family, who also feel the pain, when a baby passes away either in pregnancy, at birth or in early years.
The services will take place at Cathedrals and Minsters around the UK, and I know they will be pivotal to so many people who want to mark their loss and remember their babies. To have others recognise the significance of a person’s loss is also a key to the healing process.
Chris and Alyssa Quilala
Chris and Alyssa Quilala are from Sacramento, California, where Chris is the lead singer of the band 'Jesus Culture', and Alyssa works as an author and blogger. They suffered the sad loss of their son Jethro in 2014, and have 3 other wonderful children.
Medical Ambassadors
Professor Lord Robert Winston
Professor Lord Robert Winston is a professor, medical doctor, scientist and television presenter.
Statement of Support
Miscarriage and stillbirth is often something that’s not acknowledged or talked about in the UK, and people certainly do not appreciate how utterly distressing it is for parents, and indeed their extended families. It’s a loss of a precious life, and whether the loss happens in early or late pregnancy, at birth or in infancy it’s traumatic, and a natural grief process must be allowed to happen. Sadly a lot of doctors and nurses see loss on such a regular basis, the right support and follow up advice is just not offered, which results in vast amount of parents never coming to terms with losing their baby, and sadly they are not able to move forward with their lives as they become stuck in a cycle of grief.
I am delighted to be an ambassador for The Mariposa Trust an organisation dealing with the suffering caused by miscarriage and stillbirth, by not only offering crucial support to those who need it, but by also working with hospitals, trusts and many other key organisations to support and advise on fundamental changes that can help bereaved individuals. The primary division is Saying Goodbye - Saying Goodbye offers support and befriending to anyone who has lost a baby, and it also runs national remembrance services, which allow families to come together to mourn their lost babies. The services are held at cathedrals across the UK, and more information can be found at www.sayinggoodbye.org. The charities support is offered by six divisions, another one of them being GrowingYou which offers support to anyone who is pregnant following loss, as the fear of losing again can be profound for many people: www.growingyou.org.
The charity was founded by Zoe and Andrew Clark-Coates, who themselves have lost five babies. Having experienced this agonising pain and grief themselves, they are perfectly placed to not only offer wonderful support but also to be a voice in the national media and at a governmental level.
I am so proud to be supporting the Mariposa Trust and their ground-breaking work. Because of the vast range of services and support the charity offers, families are now better supported and know that their loss has been recognised. The causes of miscarriage and stillbirth still need to be more widely understood, but this dynamic organisation is helping tens of thousands of people each and every month.
Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE
Jacqueline is visiting Professor of Midwifery at Kings College London and London South Bank University. Her experience has led to her leading and influencing national maternity standards and guidance both nationally and internationally through research, education and publications.
Dr Jacque Gerrard MBE
Dr Jacque Gerrard is the former Royal College of Midwives Director for England and now works as a Midwifery Consultant.
I am absolutely delighted to be an ambassador of Saying Goodbye charity. The help and support that this charity provides to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through pregnancy and childbirth is unique. The sensitive service gives families a real opportunity to say their goodbyes in a supportive but positive environment irrespective of the gestation of the pregnancy loss or age of the baby.
Kathryn Gutteridge
Kathryn is a Consultant Midwife and is the current President of the Royal College of Midwives. Kathryn is an experienced author and presenter on both a national and international circuit, specialising in emotional wellbeing during childbirth and women maintaining control over their choices.
Professor Lesley Page CBE
Lesley Page is president and board member of the Royal College of Midwives. Lesley is Visiting Professor of Midwifery at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King’s College London.
Statement of Support
As a midwife for many years, and through my community of family and women friends, I am aware of the terrible grief of the loss of a baby, through miscarriage or stillbirth. I remember when ‘it’ was not spoken about and the parents were left in a shadowy bereavement where grief could not be shown or was not recognised.
When I was Professor of Midwifery at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in London I was contacted by a woman who had lost her baby in miscarriage many decades before, and she contacted me to ask if I knew where her baby might have been buried. She had never forgotten.
Zoe and Andrew Clark Coates the Founders of Saying Goodbye know this grief, the grief of loss of your baby and also the promise of new life, of a newly formed family, of joy. Saying goodbye to the baby you love is heartbreaking.
I am delighted to act as Ambassador for this wonderful new organisation that offers National services and International support to all those who know loss first hand, or for the extended family, who also feel the pain, when a baby passes away either in pregnancy, at birth or in early years.
The services will take place at Cathedrals and Minsters around the UK, and I know they will be pivotal to so many people who want to mark their loss and remember their babies. To have others recognise the significance of a person’s loss is also a key to the healing process.