Babies and toddlers in Southport, Formby and Crosby have been wearing their most colourful clothes and taking part in a sponsored danceathon at all their Babyballet classes from 17th-23rd October to raise money for pregnancy charity Tommy’s.
Children completed a magical dancing quest during their Tommy’s Danceathon this October, with challenges adaptable and accessible for different little ones’ needs. As this has been some of the little ones’ first fundraising event, it’s pretty special.
Babyballet stars from Southport, Formby and Crosby together with 20,000 babies and children from across the UK have a running total so far of over £250,000 which could fund Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research. The biggest research centre in Europe, helping understand why miscarriages happen, finding tests and treatments and ways to provide better emotional and physical care following a miscarriage.
One in four parents lose a baby during pregnancy or birth, and 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK each year; Tommy’s exists to change these shocking statistics. The charity’s research centres across the country are investigating miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, while its Pregnancy Hub gives families expert information and support through any pregnancy journey. Danceathon will help Tommy’s progress on its mission to make the UK the safest place in the world to give birth.
All money raised by Danceathon will help Tommy’s support families on their pregnancy journeys. Tommy’s scientists, doctors, specialist midwives and doctors are dedicated to finding causes and treatments to save babies’ lives as well as providing trusted pregnancy and baby loss information and support.
Babyballet (for children from 6 months to 6 years) classes give children the chance to dance, gain confidence and shine, in a fun, caring and supportive environment.
Jennifer Berrett from Babyballet Southport, Formby and Crosby said:
“Our children have gone to amazing efforts to raise as much money as possible to fundraise for Tommy’s. Many of our families or people they know have been touched by baby loss and see this as a way to help other families. I am so thankful to all our amazing grownups for their fundraising efforts and the total so far for our Local classes is over £7,500! Just amazing! We have been having lots of fun, while they fundraise to save other babies’ lives”.
Jacqui Clinton, Director of Fundraising at Tommy’s, said:
“We are delighted that babyballet® are hosting their third Danceathon for us. Everyone at babyballet is so committed to helping us in our mission to save babies’ lives and improve care and support for families at every stage of the pregnancy journey. We hope everyone taking part has a brilliant time and are so grateful for the vital funds raised for Tommy’s during this special week.”
1 in 4 women will lose a baby during pregnancy or birth. Tommy’s believes that every baby lost is one too many.
Tommy’s is a national charity that works tirelessly to reduce the UK’s rates of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. Tommy’s funds pioneering medical research to discover the causes of baby loss and helps women and people who give birth at every stage of their pregnancy journeys, supporting them and their partners with expert information and care.
For more information about Tommy’s visit www.tommys.org
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