Baby Ginger and ARC
Nine years ago our much wanted pregnancy with Baby Ginger ended in a termination after he was found to have a very serious brain abnormality. Nothing can prepare you for this. Luckily we were quickly put in touch with ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices), a charity which provides non directive support to parents throughout and after the antenatal screening and testing process. Words cannot express how important their support was to us through this terrible time and through our two subsequent, and luckily, healthy pregnancies with Amelie and Mattie.
But ARC is also much more than this...
ARC undertakes training for healthcare professionals on how to support parents facing these situations. We were incredibly fortunate to have been under the care of St George’s Hospital, Tooting who have worked closely with ARC and were amazing. However, through talking to other parents, many are not so fortunate.
ARC also acts, when invited as a national voice, representing the views of parents in Parliament, the media, government bodies and the NHS. Losing a baby in this way is highly emotive and its important to have a calm and clear voice representing parents.
ARC is a very small charity and the topics they address are difficult to talk about, so funding is limited.
I decided a long time ago to run the London marathon for them in Baby Ginger’s memory, but turning 40 made me realise I might actually have to do it soon if I was to make it round! Training is well underway so don’t be surprised to see me pounding the streets of South West London in inappropriate lycra.
Please give as much as you are able, no matter how little, to ensure ARC is able to continue supporting expectant and bereaved parents.
o £10 pays for an information and support pack for a bereaved or expectant parent
o £20 pays for the website for a day – an essential aid for parents and health professionals
o £30 will ensure ARC handbooks go to a hospital to be available to parents on hearing bad news
o £50 will give training to a volunteer to provide local support to bereaved and anxious parents
o £100 will pay for the upkeep of the helpline for one day – often the first point of call for a distressed parent
o £450 will pay for the postage for the a mail out of the ARC Newsletter to 4000 bereaved parents
o £1000 will pay for a full days training for midwives and doctors to provide better care for parents
Thank you!
Tamsin
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
