Page 2 - MomentumAnniversaryBrochure2019

WELCOME

Momentum Children’s Charity celebrates our 15th anniversary in 2019. We are delighted
to mark this important milestone with our special birthday publication, taking you on our
charity’s journey from its humble beginnings around a kitchen table, to where we are today
– supporting hundreds of families across London, Surrey and Sussex. Our 15th anniversary
appeal aims to build on our successes over the years, and raise funds for several vital projects
that are key to our future growth. We hope you enjoy reading the following pages.

The charity was started 15 years ago by our current Chief Executive, Bianca Effemey, and two parents.
Bianca was working in Kingston Hospital Paediatric Department as a receptionist but spent less time
answering the phone, and more time at the bedside of children who had cancer. She started to see
first-hand the incredible challenges facing these young patients and their entire family: the disruption
to day-to-day life, the isolation, the emotional worry, the financial pressures, and the list goes on.

The charity started with one simple act - to buy a fridge-freezer for a little girl’s hospital room, so that
she could have lollies and cold drinks to help ease the terrible pain from ulcers in her mouth, resulting
from her chemotherapy. Since that day, our family support programme and hospital transformations
have expanded greatly, but the original mission remains.

I took the job at Kingston Hospital whilst I worked out what I should do next. Little did I know
that it would be the job that changed my path forever. It was very clear to me that I could help.
OUR MISSION I saw so many families going through the toughest times of their lives and I knew that small
touches could ease their stress. It wasn’t hard to be inspired when you are surrounded by such
We believe no family should have to cope alone courageous children. I was a terrible receptionist, but I had found my calling in life – to find

and we’re there at every step, forever. ways to support children, and their families, with cancer and life-challenging conditions. To be
celebrating our 15th anniversary is an absolute dream. I am so grateful to everyone that has
helped us and supported us over the years, and I am very excited for the future.
BIANCA EFFEMEY - FOUNDER
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