million mums

Launched on Mother's Day in the United Kingdom, 22 March 2009, the Million Mums campaign aimed to raise awareness about women dying in pregnancy and childbirth; bring together an active group of people to campaign for healthcare for pregnant women and to provide a united voice speaking out against needless maternal mortality worldwide.

The Million Mums campaign was a huge success, which has had a massive impact on raising awareness about maternal health in the UK and supporting the national alliances. Highlights on the campaign include the launch with celebrity mothers, activities at Glastonbury Festival in 2009 and 2010 and the Downing Street Christmas party in 2009 "Downing Tweet".

Key Milestones

Sarah Brown joins a host of celebrity mothers to launch the Million Mums campaign
Sarah Brown was joined by supporters including Kathy Lette, Kirsty Allsopp, Kelly Hoppen, Trisha Goddard, Lauren Laverne and Meera Syal to help launch the million mums campaign.

Pictured: Lauren Lavern; Susie Willis Plum Baby; Torie Chilcott Rockabox Media; Jo Rheam Mummo; Tisha Goddard; Lyn Thomas IPPF; Marianne Troup WRA; Fozia Organic Baby Wear; Maryanne Stone-Jimenez WRA Canada; Debbie Reece Bloch Producer; Rose Village Student; Brigid McConville WRA (UK) Director; Emily Eavis, Glastonbury Festival, Gemma Weekes Poet/Auhtor & baby Isaiah; Clare Bennett Creative Development Consultant; Diana Quick; Daphne Troup; Katy Woods WRA. Maeve Shearlaw WRA; Judy Difore Pushy Mothers; Meera Syal (MBE); Eve Pollard (OBE); Kathy Lette; Kelly Hoppen (MBE); Rachel Berg Pushy Mothers; Ann Mette Kjaerby Parliamentary & Policy Advisor APPG on PD&RH with baby Art Kjaerby-McCormick; Kirstie Allsopp & baby Oscar; Jayne Trotman Warners Films; Amy Langford & baby Ava Thorp; Sarah Brown WRA Patron; Anna Hyde ICA; little Lola Kjaerby-McCormick & Monica Steffensen. Credit: Photographer Mike Owen, Art Director Neil Cunningham With thanks to: The Worx, Jem, Lois, Nadine, James, Laurence & Liz

Glastonbury Festival Supports the Million Mums Campaign
Million Mums is an exciting new campaign to raise awareness about maternal and newborn health – all over the world. The aims of the Million Mums campaign are simple: to join together a million people (or more), to raise a million pounds (at least), to provide a united voice to speak out against preventable maternal mortality. Million Mums will be a key part of Glastonbury Festival's range of "good causes" this year, with a big presence in The Park, as well as eye catching "tattoo" messaging all over site.

Take the Million Steps Challenge
'Million Steps' for Million Mums is going from strength to strength! Pushy Mothers Instructors are stepping away all over the country to raise awareness and funds for the White Ribbon Alliance.

The idea behind this drive is very simple: Million Steps asks people nationwide to throw on their trainers, pick up their pedometers, enlist the support of their families and friends and take some steps for maternal health. All money raised will go directly to the Million Mums campaign to help support the work of White Ribbon Alliance members around the world.

Sarah Brown Hosts to Downing Tweet Christmas Party
Sarah Brown met the faces behind the 'tweets' when she welcomed guests supporting the Million Mums campaign to Downing Street for a special Christmas party.

'The Downing Tweet Christmas Party' provided an opportunity for people from all walks of life, from student action groups to the entertainment industries, to come together and raise awareness for Million Mums.

The campaign's aim is to sign up a million people to donate to the cause to stop preventable deaths in childbirth and through birth related complications because of poor access to healthcare.

Sarah Brown is a regular Twitter user, having recently reached the 'Magic Million' followers, and has spread the word about Million Mums via the medium. At the event, she spoke of the appeal of the technology:

"Twitter has brought so many different kinds of people together - I'm delighted that Downing Tweet has done the same and provided new momentum for the Million Mums Campaign. Every minute of every day a woman dies in pregnancy and childbirth or because of birth related complications."

The Prime Minister's wife has used Twitter in the past year to highlight the causes close to her heart, and as the Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood she has a particular interest in the Million Mums campaign. The Alliance aims to help reduce maternal mortality by 75% by 2015.

Guests at the Downing Tweet Christmas Party were able to tweet about the event from a specially created 'Tweetzone' whilst they were entertained by singer Beverley Knight and ate mince pies adorned with the iconic Twitter bird.