Well here we are in 2009, ... Happy New Year to all our readers!   What was the anniversary appeal all about? Last year saw the 25th anniversary of the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust. On 16 June 1983 a formal declaration was signed by the Central Midwives Board and the Trustees bringing the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust into being. The Trust was registered as a charity on 20 June 1983. The founders of the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust were forward thinking and believed that they could promote and improve the care of mothers, babies and families through awarding grants and fellowships in support of midwifery education, practice and research.   For many midwives the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust has transformed their lives, supporting them in achieving their dreams and aspirations. Over the last 25 years the Trust has helped hundreds of midwives develop and broaden their skills and knowledge, achieving things which might otherwise not have been possible. Evelyn Davey, 2007 Midwives Award winner: “It's impossible to thank you all enough for the financial support that you've offered - it has helped practically and mentally to make things happen for me, and I feel optimistic about moving forward and about what I will be able to offer others.”   The Iolanthe is a unique UK charity: run by midwives for midwives. The Trust works without external funding and the Trustees need to raise money in order to continue to make the awards which have helped to change midwives’ lives. In 2008 we set a fundraising target of £25,000 - this is the minimum that we need to keep funding midwives, like Evelyn, to help mothers and babies.   The big question: Did we make our target? Unfortunately we did not reach our target - we managed to raise just over 2/3rds of the money that we needed.   What will this mean? The Iolanthe Midwifery Trust will continue to make awards - this year we are offering midwives and student awards. We are also awarding the new Tricia Anderson Award. However, like everyone else we will need to tighten our belts - we cannot continue to spend at the current level. In the long run this means fewer awards for midwives.   What can I do to help? The Trust makes a difference to midwives' lives, but we need your help to do it. You can make a donation at www.bmycharity.com/iolanthe or by cheque sent to: Elizabeth Duff, The Iolanthe Midwifery Trust, PO Box 59215                                                                                     London, NW3 9FA, UK
About the Trust   Applying for an award or bursary   How can you help? Donate The London marathon  25th anniversary appeal In 2008 we raised just over two thirds of  our target of £25,000     Who wins an Iolanthe award?   News and information   Home