Saying Goodbye Ambassadors

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.

Nigella Lawson is a food writer, journalist and broadcaster - best known as a TV Chef.

Mary Nightingale is one of the most familiar faces on TV, as one of the main presenters of the ITN News

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.

Gabby is a TV Presenter, Sports Presenter, Journalist and former Gymnast.

Caroline Quentin is an actress and comedienne, who over the last three decades has entertained the nation.

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.

Jaci Velasquez is an American actress and contemporary singer and songwriter. She has sold almost 5,000,000 albums worldwide. Recorded 3 platinum and 3 gold albums, and recorded 16 singles that hit number 1, plus 6 more that entered the top 10. She has received 7 'Dove' awards, as well as 3 'Grammy' nominations, 5 'Latin Billboard Award' nominations, and an 'American Music Award' nomination.

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.

Julie Etchingham is a British television newsreader and journalist. She is the co-presenter of ITV News at Ten.

Professor Lesley Regan Is Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Imperial College and Heads the Department at St Mary’s Hospital, London.

[toggle title_open="Statement of Support" title_closed="Statement of Support" hide="yes" border="no" style="default" excerpt_length="0" read_more_text="Read More" read_less_text="Read Less" include_excerpt_html="no"]In my work as Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Imperial College, as Head of Department at St Mary's Hospital, London and Director of the largest recurrent miscarriage clinic in the world, I see daily the devastating effect that loss during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy has on mothers, fathers and extended families. Often, people are faced with questions as to why the loss has happened. What has gone wrong? Sadly there is often no definitive answer, so most never understand, and they are just left with the grief and agony, and tragically no baby to hold.

Currently prior to 24-weeks gestation, no birth certificate is issued, and in the majority of cases no service of remembrance conducted. Saying Goodbye is stepping into that gap, and is conducting the first national set of remembrance services. These are being held at cathedrals and minsters the length and breadth of the country, are free to attend, and aim to bring together thousands of people to acknowledge the lives lost. The services will be a time to remember, to mourn and to gain support and help from people who know and understand where you are at, and what you are going through. They are also passionately working to improve the standard of care for women who miscarry and have still births, and provide support both pre and post loss.

I have become an Ambassador of Saying Goodbye, as I strongly believe in what they are doing and in their heart to help those in need, bringing peace to the hurting and grieving. I urge you to come to the services, invite others you know to come along and follow Saying Goodbye on their website www.sayinggoodbye.org and on Twitter @SayinggoodbyeUK[/toggle]

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.

Canon J.John and Killy live in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, and have three sons. J John is a popular Christian speaker and has also written over 50 books.

Professor Cary L Cooper CBE is a Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health. He is the author/editor of over 120 books, has written over 400 scholarly articles for academic journals, and is a frequent contributor to national newspapers, TV and radio.

Statement of Support

As a father of four and a grandfather of two very young grandchildren, the most important thing in my life are all these children. The thought of how I would cope if I lost anyone of them, is too overwhelming to even contemplate. This organisation is tackling an issue that for far too long has been ignored. Parents who have lost a child need the support that Saying Goodbye provides, and I look forward to helping them in any way I can. I will always think of my own family, and appreciate what I have, as I work to support Saying Goodbye.