The baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps hosted a Heartfelt Heroes Awards Night at the Historic Corn Exchange, Rochester on 12 June.
Abigail’s Footsteps hosted a deeply moving and uplifting Heartfelt Heroes Awards Night on Wednesday, 12 June 2025, at the beautiful Corn Exchange in Rochester.
The evening, hosted by Nicola Everett, newsreader at KMFM, and award winning TV and Radio Presenter and Journalist Rob Smith, brought together an inspiring community of fundraisers, volunteers, supporters and corporate partners, all united by a shared mission: supporting bereaved families through the most difficult of times.
The ceremony, attended by Charity Vice President Cheryl Baker, honoured outstanding individuals and organisations who have gone above and beyond in their fundraising efforts, community support, and unwavering commitment to the charity’s work. From rowing across the Atlantic to walking coast-to-coast from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, each story shared on the night was a reminder of the incredible strength and compassion that drives the charity supporters.
Award Winners and Sponsors:
- Top Fundraiser Award – Events and Challenge
Sponsored by MS Webb, Joe & Greg Webb
Winners: Andy Purvis and Tim (Oar Mighty Mates 2C)
Andy and Tim took on the Atlantic Challenge and rowed 3,000 miles from La Gomera to Antigua and Barbuda. Raising over £10,000, they also donated an Abi Cooling Cot, bringing vital comfort to bereaved families.
- Top Fundraiser Award – Abi Cooling Cots
Sponsored by St Phillips Chambers, Joe Wilson
Winners: Holly and Lee Gisby
In memory of their son, Albie, Holly and Lee raised over £20,000 in just two years, funding seven Abi Cooling Cots for hospitals across the UK. Their commitment to supporting families during unimaginable loss has touched hearts and inspired communities.
- Corporate Champion Award
Sponsored by WPA Healthcare Practice, Nina Balachander
Winners: Synapri and Sophia Burke
What began as a personal fundraising effort in 2022 grew into a corporate movement. Through various events and activities, Synapri raised over £11,000 in 2024, enabling the donation of two Abi Cooling Cots to London hospitals.
- Community Hero Award
Sponsored by CC Cousins, Mark Alflatt
Winners: Yates Boxing Club (Owner Jo Yates)
Yates Boxing Club has become a cornerstone of community fundraising for Abigail’s Footsteps. With over £10,000 raised through physical challenges and event support, they’ve truly become part of the Abigail’s family.
- Innovative Fundraiser Award
Sponsored by Kalikas Armour, Jatin Patel
Winner: John Christie
John’s 722-mile walk from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in memory of Ashley, Aidan, and Angel demonstrated the power of love, endurance, and purpose. His efforts funded an Abi Cooling Cot and raised crucial awareness for bereaved families.
- Outstanding Contribution Award
Sponsored by MEMS, Colin Jarvis
Winners: Tom and Jayne Gower
For seven years, Tom and Jayne have raised nearly £40,000, supporting the donation of Abi Cooling Cots, training for medical staff, and refurbishing the Blossom Suite at Darent Valley Hospital. Their dedication was recognised on TV’s Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, when they were surprised with a holiday.
David Ward MBE, Founder of Abigail’s Footsteps said: “It was a pleasure to attend Abigail’s inaugural Heroes Awards Night, the evening was a celebration of compassion, community, and tireless commitment. The team and I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who continues to help our mission to support those living through baby loss and to educate healthcare professionals.”
To find out more about Abigail’s Footsteps visit www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk and to discuss how you could help fundraise for an Abi Cooling Cot please contact faye.hill@abigailsfootsteps.co.uk
ENDS
About the Abi Cooling Cot
Donations allow Abigail’s Footsteps to distribute Abi Cooling cots to hospitals across the country. The Abi Cooling Cot keeps the baby at a cooler temperature meaning that the child can stay with their parents for longer, giving families the chance to grieve and say goodbye in their own time.
www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk/professionals/cold-cots-for-hospitals
About Abigail’s Footsteps
Abigail’s Footsteps is a Medway based baby loss charity, founded by Jo and David Ward in memory of their daughter Abigail who was stillborn at 41 weeks in 2009.
Abigails Footsteps aims to improve the baby loss bereavement training that health care professionals and care staff receive and improve the quality of counselling and supportive information that families receive if their family suffers a stillbirth.
The charity has provided over 250 Abi Cooling Cots to hospitals and work in partnership with NHS Trusts to fund sensitively designed delivery rooms located away from maternity wards.
