Push for Tommy's and help save tiny lives

By Mark Kebble on June 16th 2010

Baby charity Tommy’s is calling upon Windsor parents, babies and buggies to take part in the first Tommy’s Baby Race, in association with Buggyfit, in Windsor Great Park on Saturday September 11, 2010.

More exciting than your average stroll in the park, the 8km sponsored power walk or run means people can actively help Tommy’s to give more babies the best start in life. 

Along with babies and buggies, hundreds of like-minded mums – or other family members who want to take part - will power walk or run the stunningly beautiful course. The day will begin at 10am with an aerobic warm-up, led by Buggyfit’s qualified instructors. The music and easy moves will get everyone ready to tackle the wide, flat route – perfect for prams. It will be a great day out for little ones too, with face painters, balloons and entertainment at the start line.

Tommy’s is asking each participant to try and raise £50 sponsorship – enough to pay for a midwife to speak to and help up to 20 worried parents. If 200 mums were to raise this, the £10,000 would be enough to pay for a research assistant on one of the charity’s vital research projects. Those who raise the most sponsorship money can win prizes such as a Siblu holiday, a £50 Boden voucher, JoJo Maman Bébé signature sleeping bags and pocket highchair.

Jane Brewin, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, says: “Tommy’s Baby Race will be a great day out for both parent and baby, and the money will have a direct impact on saving babies’ lives”.

Registering for the Baby Race couldn’t be easier: just visit www.tommys.org/babyrace. Entry costs £10. Participants can then order their free T-shirt to wear whilst training and on race-day, and they will also be sent a free training plan. The fastest person to finish the race will win a £30 voucher for Less Bounce, the sports bra retailer. Once parents have entered, they’ll be directed to their personal fundraising page, where friends and family can make secure donations online.

That’s to come, right now Tommy’s is calling for babies, toddlers and young children across the country to make a big splash for cash this summer, by getting involved in Tommy’s Splashathon 2010.

Young ‘splashers’ are encouraged to ask friends and family to sponsor them to have a splash in aid of Tommy’s, which funds research into pregnancy complications. With approximately 300 pools across the country taking part from June to August, little ones can be sponsored to ‘splash’ the length or width of their local pool during the free event, or can incorporate their own ‘splashathon’ into a normal lesson or swimming fun day.

Tommy’s Splashathon is sponsored by Splash About – the children’s safety swimwear specialists – and is a great chance for young children to have fun while raising money to help save babies’ lives. After more than ten ‘splashing’ years, Tommy’s is hoping to beat last year’s Splashathon total of £277,000 and make this summer’s event the most successful yet. Beating this target will raise funds for vital research into the causes of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth - helping to save thousands of babies’ lives.

Celebrity mum Nancy Sorrell is Tommy’s Ambassador for this year’s Splashathon. “Swimming is one of my favourite activities to do with the twins and I’m looking forward to taking part this year with Nell and Elizabeth,” says the model, actress and TV presenter. “I am so grateful for my two little girls, and by getting involved with Splashathon and raising money for research into pregnancy complications, I can help other mums be mums like me!”

Tommy’s is offering a range of fantastic prizes for all those taking part. Every little ‘splasher’ to raise over £50 and return their sponsorship form by August 31, 2010 will receive a special Tommy’s prize. As a special thank you, the top fundraising ‘splasher’ will receive a prize pack from Splash About, full of goodies worth £200 - including a float jacket, UV goggles and swimwear.

Desri Goodwin, founder of Splash About, says: “We are overjoyed that we are sponsoring Tommy’s Splashathon for another year. It promises to be a great event. Not only will the children have a fun time, they will also be helping other children get the healthiest start in life.”

Simply call the sponsorship hotline on 020 7398 3482 or visit www.splashathon.org to find out if your local pool is participating. Or just get your little one splashing in your own pool / bath – every splash counts!

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