Howard and Thea, with Monica Harding MP at the Houses of Parliament

Hosted by Monica Harding MP, the event saw more than 60 people in attendance including families who have been supported by Momentum, clinicians, funders and policymakers.

The event provided an opportunity to spotlight Momentum’s vital work with families facing childhood cancer, other life-challenging illnesses and bereavement. It showcased the breadth of the charity’s services across London, Surrey and Sussex, while giving guests the chance to hear powerful first-hand accounts from families about the difference Momentum makes.

Howard Thomas, 14, from Twickenham, London, a Young Ambassador for Momentum Children’s Charity, spoke at the event at the Houses of Parliament. Howard was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in December 2023, and his family received help from Momentum throughout his treatment. Howard said: “Yesterday was incredible! I was so happy to be able to talk in front of influential people about how Momentum supported me and my family and how greater awareness could benefit other families in the future.”

Talking about the support Momentum gave his family, Howard’s brother, Charlie Thomas, 18, who also spoke at the event at the Houses of Parliament said: “During difficult times, Momentum was there to carry some of the load, when it felt too heavy to manage alone. Their support gave us exactly what we needed the most, the reassurance that we were not forgotten or alone, and that there will always be people willing to go the extra distance with you.”

Other speakers at the event included Bianca Effemey OBE, Founder and Honorary President of Momentum; Monica Harding MP; Sophie Smith, a parent supported by Momentum Echoes, the charity’s bereavement service; Dr Emma Sage, Consultant Paediatrician at St George’s Hospital; and Sarah Woods, CEO of Momentum Children’s Charity.

Monica Harding, MP for Esher and Walton, recently met a young family that were being supported by Momentum. Inspired by this, Monica invited the charity to the Houses of Parliament to celebrate their work. Monica Harding said: “Events like this matter because they bring real lives into the room and remind us that behind every statistic are families simply trying to get through the day. For those facing childhood cancer or other life-changing conditions, the challenge is never just medical – it is emotional, practical and long-lasting. While our NHS provides extraordinary care, families often need more support than statutory services alone can offer. Charities like Momentum play a vital role in ensuring families are not left to face these challenges alone, and this event was about building the understanding and commitment needed to support them and families in need, for as long as it takes.”

Sharing her hopes following Momentum’s event at the Houses of Parliament, Sarah Woods, CEO of Momentum Children’s Charity, said: “This event was an opportunity to highlight the urgent need for family support to be recognised as an essential part of paediatric and bereavement care – our sincere thanks to Monica Harding MP for making this possible. Every day, five children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer, and with no statutory funding, Momentum relies entirely on voluntary income to support families. By working creatively and collaboratively with MPs, hospitals, funders, supporters, and other key stakeholders, we can strengthen and expand the support available to families facing the unimaginable.”

To find out more about the work of Momentum Children’s Charity, please visit www.momentumcharity.org

Notes to Editors:

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. We partner with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through our family support workers, both in hospital and at home. Our services include counselling, creative therapies, special experiences, and respite breaks. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, we offer specialist bereavement support. The charity receives no government funding and is reliant entirely on voluntary support. 

Founded in 2004, Momentum Children’s Charity was started when Bianca Effemey OBE was working as a receptionist on the Paediatrics Ward at Kingston Hospital. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful, and she became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients. It became her mission to get white goods donated to the hospital which could be kept full of refreshments, providing some relief to children suffering with mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy. Momentum has grown from a very small charity to now supporting over 2,500 individuals across 688 families in 2024/25. This includes 502 families with children in active treatment and 186 bereaved families.

If you are interested in learning more about the work Momentum does, seeing the roles they are currently recruiting for or would like to get involved by attending an event, volunteering or making a donation please visit www.momentumcharity.org

www.momentumcharity.org Registered charity number: 1195373

For more information about Momentum and future press opportunities, please contact:  Claire Smith, PR and Communications Officer: clairesmith@momentumcharity.org  /  0208 974 5931