For immediate release – 7th May 2016
This fortnight will see mums, dads, kids, grandparents and friends taking part in running, swimming, cycling and toddling events right across the UK as part of the Breastfeeding Network’s annual Mums’ Milk Run campaign.
The events will kick off today with a sponsored family walk and picnic in Eglington Country Park, Ayrshire, and a breastfeeding market stall in Islington, London. Later in the week Blackpool BfN Star Buddies will be taking part in a sponsored Pier to Pier walk and for the first time Mums’ Milk Run will also host a virtual team event, with individuals taking on their own challenges such as running round the entire Scottish island of Cumbrae; completing 20 spinning classes in a fortnight or going for a run 14 days on the trot!
BfN supports thousands of families every year, providing non-judgmental, evidence based, mother centred breastfeeding information and support in hospitals, at drop in groups, at home and via telephone helplines, both before and after their babies are born. 2016 has seen significant funding cuts across the board in breastfeeding support, meaning even more mums are struggling to get the support they so desperately need, and the Mums’ Milk Run fundraising campaign is more important than ever before.
Earlier this year The Lancet published a report which showed the UK has some of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world. The report also made it clear that ‘success in breastfeeding is not the sole responsibility of women – the promotion of breastfeeding is a collective societal issue’. BfN want to help women and families across the UK have access to a community that is supportive of breastfeeding, in their local area, via social media or via a helpline.
Shereen Fisher, CEO of the Breastfeeding Network said: “Whether you run, swim, cycle or walk, get active, have fun and help make the Mums’ Milk Run campaign this year our most successful one yet. We know the UK’s breastfeeding rates are low yet mums are telling us it’s harder than ever to access good quality breastfeeding support now thanks to budget cuts in many areas. By raising funds for BfN, you can help us support more mums to reach their breastfeeding goals.”
All funds raised will go towards training new tutors and supervisors who train and support volunteer peer supporters across the UK and help ensure more families are able to access breastfeeding support when they need it.
If you want to get involved, donate or join the virtual team, or if you’re interested in the work BfN does, please visit: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/fundraising/mums-milk-run
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Contact Felicity Lambert – felicity.lambert@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk / 07826671222
- There are photo opportunities available at events across the UK, contact us for more details.
- The full Lancet report can be found at: http://www.thelancet.com/series/breastfeeding
- List of projects which have had funding cut: https://ukbreastfeedingtrends.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/briefing-paper-breastfeeding-cuts-in-england.pdf
The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) (www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk) aims to be an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and others. It aims to:
- Promote breastfeeding and a greater understanding of breastfeeding in the UK.
- Collect and disseminate information on breastfeeding and baby and infant nutrition.
- Provide information and support to parents on the feeding of babies and infants.
- Set and encourage the acceptance of quality standards for breastfeeding support.
- Establish and publish codes of practice for such support
- Mums can access breastfeeding support and info about local groups via the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212, open 9.30am-9.30pm 365 days a year