On Tuesday 19th November, Mrs Samantha Cameron kindly hosted a reception for us at 10 Downing Street. The event was a fantastic opportunity for us to say thank you to some of our dedicated supporters in the prestigious surroundings of this world-famous address.

130 guests, who included local group representatives, fundraisers, clinicians, charity partners and Sands staff and Trustees, enjoyed drinks and canapés in the White Drawing Room and the Terracotta Room, which hosts many famous works of art. The atmosphere was vibrant and everyone expressed their excitement about receiving their invitation from the Prime Minister’s wife!

Mrs Cameron enjoyed talking with many guests and hearing about their reasons for being involved with the charity. She was photographed with the local Groups representatives, who had been chosen at random to attend on behalf of our Sands network of local groups, and also said a few words to the whole room in support of our work.

Vanessa Kinsey-Thatcher, Sands Trustee and bereaved parent, spoke on behalf of the board of Trustees and the rest of the Sands team to thank Mrs Cameron for hosting the event and to express appreciation to everyone in attendance for all their hard work. 

Vanessa said, “I would like to extend immense thanks to everyone here who has and who continues to support Sands. There are countless others not here who we also recognise for their contributions. It is crucial that we do all we can to reduce the unacceptable number of baby deaths and to support those affected by the death of a baby.”

Vanessa shared her own moving experience of losing her daughter and her journey with Sands from initial contact with her local Sands Group to later becoming a Trustee.  

Vanessa also highlighted some of the key successes of the past year and talked about the future of the charity.  She announced that there will be a new strategy for the charity unveiled very soon while confirming that Sands would remain true to its 3 core aims of: supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby, promoting research to help reduce the number of baby deaths, to work with healthcare professionals to continue to improve the quality of bereavement care.

We thank Mrs Cameron for hosting such a wonderful event for us and for her recognition of, and support for, our charity. It was a great privilege for all who attended and for the wider organisation.