SpringBoard major donor programme launched

SpringBoard, the new major donors programme of the national children’s charity Best Beginnings was launched at a star-studded gala dinner in central London on 15 September 2016. Guests included Premier League and former England footballer Peter Crouch and his wife, model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy, who said: 

I’m so impressed with Best Beginnings that I’ve become an active supporter. The work they do is so important and so valuable. 

The couple joined Olympic sports stars, actors and several members of the aristocracy who all came to hear about how the charity is working to reduce the severe birth inequalities that are a reality in the UK today. For example, a child born in Bradford is four times more likely to die in infancy than a child born in Bath. Jenny Agutter OBE and Dame Pippa Harris, star and producer of the hit television series “Call The Midwife” spoke with actor and director Andy Serkis, who was acting as Master of Ceremonies for the night, about the severe health and social problems portrayed in their programmes that existed in 1950s East End London.

Alison Baum, Founder and Chief Executive of Best Beginnings, then explained that while much had improved, there was still a great deal more to be done. “There are still shocking differences in the health outcomes and life chances between babies born in the more prosperous compared with the most deprived parts of the UK. Best Beginnings works tirelessly to give every child in the UK the best possible start in life through our multi-award winning app, Baby Buddy, and our other clinically approved interventions. I’m delighted to be launching SpringBoard, a chance for our wonderful supporters to be able to pledge regular financial support for our many national programmes, to help every child have a Best Beginning.”

Find out more about becoming a SpringBoard member here.

Footballer Peter Crouch (L) and his wife, model and TV presenter Abbey Clancey (R) share a joke with Best Beginnings CEO, Alison Baum, at the Springboard launch event.