The final countdown!

04 August 2010

As ever, it has been an extremely busy period with project and policy work. Highlights of the last month include a full day spent with Jacqui Smith, the producer/director and project manager for the Small Wonders project, and a half a day spent at Queen Charlotte’s hospital meeting with leading clinicians and allied healthcare professionals about the progress of the project.

I have been arriving at all my meetings somewhat hotter and sweatier than would normally be expected of a CEO, but for good reason: in September I am cycling from London to Paris to raise vital funds for Best Beginnings and I am taking every opportunity to sneak in training rides. Almost every time I have to get to the same place as a colleague who is travelling by public transport I beat them on my bicycle!

Midweek rides to and from meetings complement the hefty weekend training rides I have started to do – I did a 42-mile ride last weekend and I’m still recovering. I am seriously unfit and I’m not sure how I will make it to Paris. I need your help to get me there…

This week I have started my fundraising push. I’ve set myself the tricky-but-not-unattainable target of raising £10,000. This funding will make a substantive difference to the work of Best Beginnings and every donation gets me closer to my target. Please head on over to my fundraising page and give as generously as you can.

On my fundraising page you can see a couple of pieces to camera I did whilst out on training rides and you’ll realise the true extent of my lack of fitness – your donations will help encourage and motivate me to train more.

Last week I cycled to and recorded my first every podcast. It was with Vicky Carne from the influential midwife network Midirs. It was a real pleasure to be invited to do this interview. I got the chance to talk about the story behind Best Beginnings, the Small Wonders project, the fact that almost one million families have received the From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD, and about the crucial role that midwives have in ensuring the DVD is used effectively. I will post a link to the podcast when it goes live.

Myself and Best Beginnings trustee Francesca Entwistle recently attended an All Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity. You can see us in the photo above right. The event was organised by the NCT and I was delighted catch up with many colleagues from the world of maternity and child health. Five outstanding maternity units were recognised for their innovation, and it was inspiring to hear about the brilliant work happening on the ground across the country. You can see who won the awards on the NCT website.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been working closely with NHS Choices who will be featuring our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD content on their website. I will keep you posted as to when it launches.

Finally, we’re planning a summer party on August 29th in Crouch End, London. It’ll be a chance to meet the celebrities we’re working with, have a great evening and support the London to Paris bike ride. If you want to come, please email Tom with your details.