Information spokespeople

Claire Friars

Claire Friars is Manager of Tommy's pregnancy information line.

Claire studied for three years at King's College London to become a midwife. From there she went to work on the busy Labour ward at Lewisham Hospital in south-east London. And then to her favourite area of midwifery out in the community. She enjoyed seeing women through from early pregnancy to visiting the mums and their babies at home. She has managed to keep in touch with some of the women and loves bumping into them in Tesco's!

"I have been lucky enough to deliver so many beautiful babies but sadly sometimes things go wrong and babies don't make it. It is devastating for the parents, their families and friends but also for the staff. We never forget those agonising times and that is why I feel the work at Tommy's, the baby charity, is so vital. I was delighted to join Tommy's on their pregnancy information line - being able to give women the information and support they need via a telephone line, website and email. As an NHS midwife I was aware of problems facing us at busy times when we couldn't spend as much time with pregnant women as we'd like. But this is where Tommy's can fill the gap - Tommy's provides a service that women can access in addition to their usual midwifery appointments."

Claire lives in south-east London with her husband Adrian, a computer engineer. They are busy renovating their house and enjoy regular trips to see their team Charlton Athletic. In 2005, Claire pounded the streets of London to run her first London Marathon in aid of Tommy's.

Sharon Simms - Tommy's Midwife

Sharon has been a midwife for 28 years enjoying working in her local maternity units and working in the community.  Sharon especially enjoys looking after mum's and their babies in the home enviornment where she feels priviledged to be part of helping with a new family.

"I have been lucky to be involved in delivering  many  babies and to be helping families at one of their most exciting and memorable times but sadly sometimes things go wrong and babies don't make it. It is not only devastating for the parents, their families and friends but also for the staff. As a midwife you never forget those very sad occasions whether it be a stillbirth or a miscarriage and never forget the sense of loss those parents have had to endure. That is why I feel the work at Tommy's is so vital and feel determined that their research can highlight issues and influence health professionals to change clinical practice to enhance better outcomes for babies. I was delighted to join Tommy's on their pregnancy information line - being able to give women the information and support they need via a telephone line, website and email - Tommy's provides a service that women and their families can access in addition to their usual midwifery appointments."