Hope and Faith charity thank Bedfordians for their generosity

Siblings Steffi and Royce Goodwin, and Jacob Hukin-Joseph set up Hope and Faith charity after each experiencing personal challenges and vowing to help others in a similar position. The charity helps raise awareness and funds for different hospitals and charities.

In addition to the annual ball held at Bedford Blues Rugby Club, Hope and Faith charity have devised a number of innovative ways to raise awareness and collect funds throughout the year, including sponsored sporting events and pamper days at local hairdressers.

One of the remarkable achievements of 2019 was the team’s efforts in helping to raise funds for local school girl, Lulu who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer.

Lulu required £162,000 for life saving treatment in the USA, it was at the Hope and Faith charity ball that Lulu’s father first announced that with their help, the funds had been raised by the community to support this very important treatment.

After setting a new challenge to raise funds for Bedford hospital maternity unit and baby loss awareness, the team were overwhelmed by the response on a recent social media post where people offered their time, services and goods to help make the fourth annual ball on Saturday 30th May 2020 the biggest success to date.

Steffi and Jacob lost their little girl in August 2019 at 24 weeks. After the loss of baby Ayla the local community came forward to share their stories and experiences.

The Hope and Faith charity realised there was an opportunity to make a big change that would impact on a large number of families.

Steffi said: “After our own experience we talked with the maternity department at Bedford hospital to discuss the potential changes that could be made to the ward to make the experience [the loss of a baby] more bearable for families.

"It was agreed that we would raise funds to directly support the hospital to make these much needed changes.

“We want to show our appreciation to everyone that has already come forward to support our charity.

"We’ve been blown away by the number of people who have offered thoughtful ideas to support our ball on 30/05/2020.

"We need the continued support of our fellow Bedfordians. This time around we want to focus on creating events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness around baby loss, it’s still taboo.

"Local initiatives such Cradle have made contact with us and have explained that they donate comfort bags to local hospitals for bereaved parents during their hospital stays.

"Therapists and counsellors have also been in touch. We are asking for so much more than money. It really shows how giving the people of Bedford are.”

Hope and Faith continue to seek sponsors for their various events throughout the year and are keen to shine the light on local companies such as Cowley Environmental who routinely provide financial support.

The Hope and Faith Charity Ball will be at Bedford Blues Rugby Club on Saturday, May 30.