WAY on TV

We were really chuffed that WAY was asked to take part in a news story on BBC breakfast on Saturday. Journalist Sarah Pennells has been investigating the way financial institutions deal with bereaved people, following the awful experience of Ingrid Facius.

Caroline was interviewed at the BBC studio in Plymouth and at an ungodly hour of the morning (6.20am!) Linsay Black went into the BBC studio in London to be interviewed on the subject.

We were trying to stress that Ingrid’s case was not a one-off individual scenario, but that a large number of our members have had trouble dealing with financial institutions, utility companies, TV companies etc after their partner died.

MP John McFall is calling for a new code of practice to ensure companies act in a more consistent and fair manner.

If you have had a difficult experience dealing with financial affairs after a bereavement, the WAY Foundation would love to hear from you, to help further this campaign. Get in touch with us at media@wayfoundation.org.uk

Lunching in style

Linsay Black (WAY’s PR) and I spend most of our time working away at home in front of our computer screens. So it was with great excitement that we arrived in London last night for today’s Woman of the Year Awards lunch.

Linsay nominated me as a way of raising awareness of WAY among the judging panel for this event. Little did we think we’d actually be invited to the event!

But Good Housekeeping chose me to win two tickets to the lunch from among all their reader nominations, so off we went to London. And we were assured it had nothing to do with our Patron Lindsay Nicholson who wasn’t involved in judging, but who was thrilled to see WAY chosen.

We had an amazing day and met women who had done so many incredible things with their lives. It was very humbling to be in the room. And also fantastic fun – especially the celeb spotting!

We tried hard to tell as many media people as we could about WAY – radio and TV presenters and journalists, so hopefully the day will result in some more coverage of WAY and the work all our volunteers do for young widows.

A fabulous surprise!

When Linsay’s phone rang on Thursday she got one hell of a surprise – it was Good Housekeeping ringing to invite Caroline and her to the Woman of the Year Awards lunch!

This prestigious award is given every year and sponsored by, among others, GH magazine.

Linsay nominated Caroline as a way of drawing attention to WAY among the judging panel – most of whom will probably have never come across us before.

It was a massive surprise to be told that Caroline had been chosen by GH to attend the lunch. She’s not in the running for the award, but there will be coverage of WAY in the magazine and possibly elsewhere, which is great news.

And Linsay and Caroline are off to London to enjoy some champagne and raise the profile of WAY among some very influential women!

Martin’s challenge of the week

Last week Martin Smith managed to prise himself away from his computer where he’s been spending days sorting out member details and working on Yuku, to make a speech.

This was for the Association of Crematorium Managers and we did wonder what sort of audience they’d make!

Luckily they loved Martin and his speech went down really well.

What’s more they were very enthusiastic about WAY and the work we do.

Not many of them had heard of us, which means we still have a mountain to climb in terms of publicity. But it also shows how useful it is to go along to events like this and speak about WAY.

What’s more – they even made a generous donation to WAY funds!

Fundraising in style

Last week I was invited to attend a debate at the Victoria & Albert museum, held in memory of Laurence Stracey, whose wife Emma is a WAY member.

Emma and Laurence’s family were also there and we had a great evening in quite spectacular surroundings.

The event was hosted by Farrer & Co, a very upmarket law firm, which apparently counts the Queen among their clients…

All proceeds raised from the event will go to WAY and I’m hoping several of the people who attended will donate generously with money, time or professional expertise.

Watch this space…

Caroline