To wonder why Anne Diamond has still not received the recognition she deserves after saving the lives of 1000s of babies.

[Helpmefindaholiday]

I vaguely knew the story but I’ve just read a fuller account. So after her own family tragedy, she researched and discovered a study was going on in NZ where a Dr was promoting the ‘back to sleep’ campaign. She flew out to speak to this Dr and came back and met with V Bottomley who was then health Sec. They wanted to wait and see but AD refused to do this and used her own money to fly the NZ Dr over to speak to VB. it snowballed from there. From 1989-1992 the number of cot deaths in the UK more than halved. That is hundreds of thousands of babies saved thanks to Anne Diamond and her campaign. I just find it incredulous that we hand out ‘gongs’ for all sorts but nothing for a woman whose campaign was a game changer and how many middle aged parents who are happily watching their children get married and give them grandchildren have this woman to thank for saving them from a life of bereaved agony. MN should be campaigning for proper recognition for this woman and all she’s done for children in the UK.

@MrsPuff5, I think a lot of people have no idea.

I’ve worked with Peter Fleming and he’s amazing. Back to Sleep was the single most important factor in reducing SIDS. Deaths dropped from about 2500 a year to circa 350. An extraordinary drop.

Im pretty sure she got a lot of recognition at the time?

There was a lot of publicity for her campaign itself but not that much about how cot deaths had reduced specifically as a result of the campaign. Therefore she didn't really get much credit.

I would like to, she should absolutely get recognition.

The form says...

You’ll need to write a detailed description explaining why you’re nominating them. Read the guidance on how to write a nomination.

You’ll also need:

your nominee’s name, age, address and contact details

details of relevant work or volunteering they’ve done

details of any awards or other recognition they’ve received

2 supporting letters to back up your nomination - these should be from people who know the nominee personally

Maybe emailing [email protected] and stating who should be honoured would be enough?

I am not sure that she did get recognition at the time. At the time, I don't think it was possible to measure the impact of this, and how much it would change the numbers. She definitely deserves much credit for the campaign she led.

Thank you for your email to the Honours and Appointments Secretariat.

We aim to respond to all emails within 15 working days.

If a lot of people email they can't ignore it.

Thanks @NoonyLa

I’ll email them too. So everyone who expressed a desire to nominate but found the official form impractical, please can you send your request to,

[email protected]

I will do mine now.

YANBU OP. I really like and have great respect for Anne Diamond. I'm that she hasn't been nominated sooner.

I’m just bumping this in case anyone else reads and would like to also send the email in support. It’s
[email protected]

I had no idea and agree she should be recognised!

Bump

I will also be emailing [email protected]

A timely bump.

We remember you Sebastian 💜

A remarkable woman who turned heartbreaking grief into a positive for thousands of families.

My nomination by email is now completed

I attached the link below which is a good summary www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-37908627

Thank you ladies. I hope someone takes at least a bit of notice.

Great thread Help. Thank you for making so many of us aware

I had no idea either. What an amazing legacy for Sebastian.

I hope Anne gets a lot of comfort from it Fennella an unsung hero.

Link for teaandtoast to explain why your midwife was wrong. Babies are less at risk of choking on vomit on their backs rednose.com.au/article/will-baby-choke-if-he-she-vomits-while-sleeping-on-the-back

teaandtoast anyone who has stood in the firing line of a vomiting baby can assert that they have a very strong projecting reflex, which means they can't choke on their vomit.....

Thanks. I have no connection whatsoever to AD. I was just amazed to read the stats and realise there had been no recognition for such a game changer.

Brilliant thread, will email in a bit. Thanks op.

It looks like this might be her agent (or one of them) - perhaps this would do for an address? rkcpromotions.co.uk/anne-diamond/

Anne Diamond is brilliant, she always contributes well thought out arguments on The Wright Stuff (now Jeremy Vine??). Totally agree with the OP, without her input I would have had no idea about the link with cot death/sleeping position. So sad that she lost one of her precious sons but such a lot of good has come out of this tradgedy.