How Momentum Started

Jacqueline Coppellotti's son, Joshua, and Alison Trigg's daughter, Yasmin, were both diagnosed with cancer at around the same time.  They teamed up with Bianca Effemey, from the paediatric oncology department at Kingston Hospital, Surrey, to form a new support group for families in the same situation.

Since its inception, Momentum has focused on actively improving the facilities in the isolation rooms at Dolphin Ward in Kingston Hospital, where children suffering from cancer and their parents
will spend many days.


Joshua's Story

Two days before his second birthday, our son Joshua was diagnosed with a brain tumour.  We were warned that our little boy might not survive.

From that moment, everything changed.  He had two major operations but the tumour could not be totally removed.  He started a course of intensive chemotherapy which would last for
12 to 18 months.

Chemotherapy has side effects which are difficult to explain to
a child.  He lost weight, he lost his hair and he was sometimes unable to co-ordinate his limbs.  At times he felt very sick.

His immune system was completely destroyed which meant that
he was unable to socialise with his friends or even go into a supermarket.

Treatment was often painful and he had to have blood tests every week to monitor his condition. In 12 months he spent over 80 days in hospital, often in complete isolation.

Despite this, as a family we try to remain positive.  Joshua has responded well to chemotherapy but he is not 'cured'.  He will need regular scans to check the tumour and we know there is a chance that it will grow back.

He has started school this year and we feel humbled by his strength and resilience.

Read the local newspaper article.

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We understand

When your child is diagnosed with cancer, as a parent you feel utterly helpless and isolated.  You and your family are plunged into a state of complete anxiety and fear, and the lives of everyone within your family are turned upside down.

Your child will typically have to have regular hospital treatment. This may include scans, biopsies, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  Treatment can last for many months or even years.

Long stays at hospital are common whilst undergoing treatment,
or as a result of infections developed due to a compromised immune system.  Your child's ability to socialise or attend school may also be affected.

We hope that through Momentum some support may be given to those who may feel alone and lost during treatment, or would just like to talk to other parents about what's happening around them.

Getting Through

We stride the clinical maze hand in hand.
Others outside try to smile and understand.

Unfortunately to know you need to bear,
Your own Child's suffering and despair.

What we would do to swap our face,
And put ourselves in their fragile place.

Our lives we would give to ensure,
They live happily now and forever more.

The cause we will probably never find,
And would it give us peace of mind?

Thank goodness for most there is a cure,
But the treatment is so hard to endure.


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MOMENTUM PATRONS

Momentum's Patrons are the former Children's Laureate, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, actor Philip Glenister and West End stage star, Kim Ismay. We are extremely proud to have them as our Patrons and very grateful for their support.


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MOMENTUM TRUSTEES

Momentum was founded in 2004 by Jacqueline Coppollotti, Alison Trigg and Bianca Effemey.  There are now eight Trustees for the charity. This is a bit about them:


Bianca Effemey – Co-founder and Family Liaison Director
Having raised my children in Kingston, it was important for me to work locally, with flexible hours, within an environment that I felt fulfilled  in. The paediatric department at Kingston Hospital ticked  all the boxes, especially as I had a background in nursing. I co-founded Momentum because I felt sure that there was a desperate need to get the children and families together whilst they were being treated for cancer. Whilst establishing the support group, the charity was created, and listening to the voices of the children and parents about what they needed provided the impetus for the fundraising. We strive to keep positive and continue to promote a family feel to the charity. I have personally been inspired  by the children, their families and wonderful friends.  They have all shown such enthusiasm and support for Momentum which I am proud to have helped create and which I enjoy running on an everyday basis.


Jacqueline Coppellotti – Founder Member and Trustee for Momentum
Jacqueline is one of the original co-founders of Momentum and is a Trustee of the charity. She met with the other co-founders after her eldest son was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to undergo treatment including a surgical resection and later chemotherapy, some of which was administered at Kingston Hospital. As well as having a busy family life, raising three children together with her husband Chris, Jacqueline works part-time as a Occupational Health consultant. She previously worked in a similar position for a large International Airline and is also a registered nurse. Jacqueline is passionate about Momentum and immensely proud of the changes the charity is bringing about.


Alison Trigg -  Founder Member and Trustee for Momentum
Alison is the proud mother of three little girls, who went through the trauma of having her eldest daughter, Yasmine, diagnosed with Leukaemia at three and a half years old. Her family’s experiences and the subsequent twenty-six months of Chemotherapy, at Kingston Hospital and the Royal Marsden, led her to a greater understanding of what is needed from a Charity and Support group of this type. “During the first days after Yasmine’s diagnosis it became clear how beneficial it would be to have other parents to talk to who were experiencing similar trials and one of the seeds for Momentum was born.”  Yasmine’s strength and resilience throughout has been an inspiration to her family and friends and this has been a chance for Alison and her husband Dominic to give something back to the community who supported them throughout the treatment.  


Fiona Loveless - Chair of Trustees
Fiona Loveless was first introduced to Momentum in 2005 when her  daughter Holly, then aged 7, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. "When your child is diagnosed with cancer your whole life is turned upside down and you suddenly find yourself thrown into a very strange and frightening place that bears no resemblance to the life you had minutes earlier. Through Momentum we were able to meet other families who had or were currently facing the same trauma. This was a huge help and support to  both Holly and myself. I wanted to try to improve the quality of life for these children whilst they were undergoing their treatment and so got heavily involved with the fundraising side of the charity later that same year. I was delighted when I was asked to become a trustee. "


Steven Humphrey McDermott – Trustee/ Fundraiser
Steven has worked professionally in the Entertainment Lighting Industry throughout the UK and Europe for almost twenty years. He originally became involved with Momentum by helping out with the lighting for the charity’s first Opera evening at the Landmark Arts Centre. Since then his technical involvement has multiplied and he has been the lighting designer for all of our Cabaret evening fundraisers and was a major contributor, incorporating design and installation, for the Momentum Children’s Garden at Kingston Hospital, opened by HRH Princess Alexandra in October 2006.

During the detailed preparations for Momentum’s Venetian Masked Ball in February 2007, in which Steven was also heavily involved, he was asked to become a Trustee. “I’m absolutely delighted to fulfil the role of Trustee-fundraiser for such a deserving charity and am looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into many more exciting projects!”

Jan Moor – Trustee
Jan first became involved with Momentum when Alison Trigg's daughter was diagnosed with cancer (Alison, one of Momentum's founders, and her family were her next door neighbours). Together with a few other neighbours, Jan and her husband Ian held a table-top sale in their street and raised a substantial sum of money to get Momentum started. “I am delighted to be asked to be one of the Trustees and to help this worthwhile cause.”

Hind Thomas – Trustee
I'm a Paediatric Sister at Kingston Hospital. I work with Bianca Effemey, the Chair of Trustees at the hospital and became involved with the charity during fundraising events, when they needed an extra pair of hands. I've become more involved with MOMENTUM over time, as it is clear that the money raised for the children and their families makes life more bearable for them during their sometimes long hospital stays. Most importantly though, MOMENTUM provides support and friendship for the families of children with cancer.

Ed Newton - Trustee and Treasurer
Ed runs his own Market Research agency.  He previously worked for some leading companies including Unilever, SC Johnson and GFK.  With his family he has been a long term resident of Kingston where he has been frequently involved in various community activities including local club rugby and he was a School Governor for several years.

His involvement with Momentum started as a loyal supporter of the various excellent events staged over the last four years.  In early 2008 he was delighted to be asked to become a Trustee of Momentum and enjoys helping and supporting the charity in its continuing growth and success.

Ian Ashpitel - Trustee/Fundraiser
Ian is an actor who has appeared on stage, screen and television for over twenty years. Prior to his acting career he was in the Royal Navy and spent five years on submarines. Ian says "I first heard about Momentum through my friend Fiona Loveless, when her daughter Holly became ill with leukaemia. I offered to help by setting up a Charity Golf day, through my contacts with the Stage Golfing Society. We have now held three such golf days at Richmond Golf Club and they seem to be going from strength to strength, due to the work of the 'girls' at Momentum and of course the support of one of our Patrons, Phil Glenister." Ian was "chuffed to bits" when Bianca Effemey asked him to be a Trustee and is looking forward to contributing more to a great and deserving charity.

Nick Cronin – Trustee
Nick Cronin is a Consultant for Montpelier Tax Planning and advises Momentum on their finances and business plans.

Natalie Harvey – PR and Events Manager
Natalie is not a Trustee for Momentum, but works on a part-time basis as PR Manager for the charity. She was introduced to Momentum by Fiona Loveless (Trustee) because her son is at school with Fiona’s daughter Holly.  Natalie has a background in journalism and is the Press contact for Momentum.  She also helps with fundraising and event organising. “It is fantastic to have a job for such a worthwhile charity that is also at the centre of my local community. I love helping to organise Momentum’s events and as a mother, I realise how valuable it is to provide support for the parents of very sick children.”

Nikki Howard – Fundraising and Marketing Manager
Nikki became involved with Momentum through Natalie Harvey and Fiona Loveless. Until a few years ago she had a very busy career in PR working on prestigious accounts such as the Roux-Diners International scholarship and other top food and drinks companies. Nikki now works closely with Natalie Harvey on a part-time basis for Momentum and is particularly seeking sponsorship for Momentum’s fundraising events and also negotiates to provide our wonderful auction prizes, such as last year’s trip to Venice on the Orient Express. “Momentum is a small but really dynamic charity and I’m looking forward to helping increase its profile and raise lots of money!”

Kristie Higgins – Office Manager
Kristie has a background in accounts. She is responsible for the day to day running of the Momentum office and the bookings for the Momentum holiday home.

Rachel Bell
I am a sister on the children's ward at Kingston Hospital.  I work alongside Bianca Effemey, the chair of Trustees for Momentum at the hospital.  I have an interest in oncology and have the opportunity to work with the children and their families on a regular basis.  I have recently become involved with Momentum and am enjoying organising my first event for them, the 5km run on 11th May.  I hope to become more involved in the future and provide support for children with cancer and their families.  




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