On 17th June 2023 we gathered at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester with Star families, Star supporters, and even some TV Stars, to celebrate our 10th Anniversary!
Within hours of someone sharing an Instagram post from the Mummy's Star Charity Ball, we received a request for support from a pregnant woman who had just been diagnosed with cancer but didn't know about Mummy's Star.
The Ball was a great opportunity to remember and celebrate ten years of mums, birthing parents and families affected by cancer in or around pregnancy, and before we'd even finished our starters, it was also bringing support to a family who needed us.
Our great event team was vital to the night being a success. With planning from Weird PR and Lisa Forshaw PR and venue hire and support from the stunning Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester we had a great foundation. As more suppliers, artists and experts came on board our incredible night began to form.
When our two incredible hosts Jenny Powell and Victoria Ekanoye agreed to join us and we just knew is was going to be a night to remember... and we were right!
After a red carpet entrance, the drinks reception was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and familiar faces, and even do a little celebrity spotting. Long time supporters of the charity mingled with families supported by Mummy's Star, alongside many of our trustees and staff. It was a real treat to see everyone in their glad rags, from tuxes to gowns to trainers and so many sequins; you all really made the night sparkle!
Photos by Dave Nelson
Entering the ballroom was emotional for lots of people, particularly those of us who have been with Mummy's Star for some time. The emotions built steadily throughout the night, especially when we heard from Star Mum Stacey, who courageously shared her story of breast cancer diagnosed after pregnancy. We also remembered all the Mummy's Star Mums who have sadly died over our ten years in existence, including the amazing Nicolette Peel, founding Trustee of Mummy's Star, who was honoured on the night in a powerful speech by her loving husband James.
Our very own CEO Pete gave a wonderful speech recognising the challenges and successes of the charity and, most importantly, the continued need to raise awareness of cancer in and around pregnancy and to support as many women, birthing people and families affected by it as possible.
Victoria and Jenny, our fabulously fun hosts, continued to share this message throughout the night, interspersed with some fantastic entertainment from The Diamond Collective and Girls That Mix who brought the celebrations to a close with dancing, laughter and so much joy.
Photo by Dave Nelson @davenelsonphotographer
We are so grateful to all our amazing sponsors who made this milestone event possible; particularly our headline sponsors API Global and Baron and Cabot! And our love and thanks go to everyone who attended, for your enthusiasm, your generosity and for recognising what we do and, most importantly, who we do it for.
To those who came for a ball without knowing much about Mummy's Star: thank you for taking a chance on a great night out and for taking the message of cancer in and around pregnancy out with you into the world.
We know that at least one mum, who was feeling isolated and alone following a diagnosis of cancer while she was pregnant, learned about us because someone new shared about us on social media. That makes this whole event so much more powerful than we could ever have imagined.
Sharing is a powerful tool nowadays, so keep doing it! We will keep sharing and shouting about our Ball because it was a fantastic way to celebrate ten years of hard and hopeful work. Please keep doing the same, and help other families who need us, find us, as fast as they can.
Keli Comms & Engagement @ Mummy's Star
