Celebrity support

Tommy's has attracted much celebrity support for its campaigns over the years. Our Patron is Sarah, the Duchess of York and our supporters over the year have included Sophie Ellis Bextor, Richard E Grant, Jamelia, Gary Lineker, Jonathan Ross and Will Greenwood.

This year we will be working with Tamara Beckwith, Samatha Bond, Tania Bryer, Graham Norton, Gordon Ramsay and Gaby Roslin amongst many others. For more information or to set up interviews with our celebrity supporters, please contact our press office.

Below are a few words about why some of our high-profile supporters are advocates of Tommy's:

Sarah, The Duchess of York

"As Patron of Tommy's, I feel very strongly about supporting a charity that funds research into the causes of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. The lives of my elder sister, mother and several of my close friends have been touched by tragedy in this way.

I have always considered myself incredibly lucky to have had two healthy pregnancies when I know that every day so many families face the loss or the risks posed by premature birth.

Tommy's has already achieved a great deal. The charity is beginning to make real progress in understanding the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and pre-eclampsia. Much more is within our grasp, but only if we can successfully appeal to you, to help us. The success of Tommy's work depends on our ability to secure the necessary financial support from every source available. With your help, this invaluable and life saving research can proceed and advance".

Leslie Ash

"I have always known of Tommy's and a lot of my friends in the business support them. As a parent I've really wanted to support Tommy's - they do a fantastic job."

Samantha Bond

"I support Tommy's because I think that any woman of childbearing age will have friends, sisters, cousins, whatever, who've had problems with conception, miscarriage and I would always choose to support a charity that does as much worthwhile work as Tommy's does."

Tania Bryer

"I've been a supporter of Tommy's for a number of years. I've actually suffered a couple of miscarriages myself and Tommy's does a lot of research into why and how we can cure miscarriage. Also my eldest daughter, Natasha, was four week premature. It was an emergency birth and she ended up in intensive care. I think both aspects - prematurity and miscarriage - are very close to my heart.

I think Tommy's is a terrific charity, they do so much work for women in those situations that can be so heartbreaking - so I'm really a big supporter of Tommy's."

Bernie Nolan

"I think that any charity that helps babies is worth supporting. I have actually myself been through the horrible time of having a miscarriage and I know Tommy's does a lot of research into that. The one thing is that I never found out why I had a miscarriage and I would like to know. In a lot of cases people say. Oh, it just happened - don't worry about it - but really, that's not an answer. I adore kids. Worthwhile thing to be doing, research in premature birth."

Gordon Ramsay

"I'm proud to have run the Marathon for Tommy's, the baby charity - their cause is one very close to my heart, especially as my own twins were born three weeks prematurely in 1999. It was an emotional and strained time for the family but we were lucky and the twins pulled through. It's awful to think that other parents go through similar traumas each day in the UK but with further funding for their essential research, Tommy's aims to end this heartache, which is why I'm supporting their worthy cause".

Gordon ran the London marathon in 2004 in three hours and eighteen minutes. He and his wife, Tana, raised £14,000 for Tommy's by running the marathon in 2004. Both also ran the London marathon for Tommy's in 2005 too.

Jonny Wilkinson

"I'm really pleased to be able to support Tommy's, the baby charity. The charity funds research into premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth which my good friend and team-mate, Will Greenwood and his wife have tragically experienced. I wanted to find a unique way to do my bit to support Tommy's and help raise money to fund their vital research so that's why I offered myself up for auction, in the form of a bronze sculpture of the stance I take before I take a place kick."

The bronze raised Tommy's £40,000 at the Sports ball 2004.