Hope for children CEO Maurielle Maupoint on how The Big Playdate is helping to transform the lives of children living in poverty

Absolutely Mama: What is Hope for Children?

Maurielle Maupoint: We are an international charity that passionately believes every child has the right to a happy, healthy and positive childhood. We currently work in Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines as well as here in the UK. Unfortunately, almost half of the world’s children are vulnerable and living in poverty, and we want to change this by making a safe and fulfilling childhood a reality for more of them. Most importantly we want to give children hope for a better future.

AM: How, when and by whom was the organisation founded?

MM: It’s an amazing story actually! Hope for Children was founded with the vision and passion of one man, Dr Bob Parsons OBE, in 1994, with just £5,000, working out of his front room! He desperately wanted to help those children who fell through the gaps left by both society in general and some of the larger charitable organisations. Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, whether climbing mountains, running marathons or holding coffee mornings, we were able to transform the lives of over 37,000 children and their families!

AM: What’s the idea behind the Big Playdate event?

MM: The Big Playdate is an exciting new project for parents with children aged one to five, encouraging them to spend quality time with their children. As a busy mum myself, I really understand the importance of finding time to do that. Our activity pack provides parents with the key items they need to host a Big Playdate including invites, craft activities, games and recipes. The pack is free to order from our website and is designed for up to five children. We are asking parents to invite their children’s friends and in the process raise funds by charging a suggested £5 for each child.

AM: How do people get involved? How will the funds raised through the Big Playdate be used to help children?

MM: The funds raised will be used to improve children’s access to education and healthcare and to empower their families to support themselves while developing their confidence and self-esteem. £25 can buy three birthing kits containing everything to support the clean and safe birth of a child and avoid the transmission of HIV/AIDs from a mother to her newborn. Thanks to the amazing generosity of Jet2holidays, we are offering the chance to win a 4-star family holiday to the Hard Rock Hotel in Tenerife. To enter the prize draw, parents simply need to host the Big Playdate and send the funds by 31 January 2017. So get hosting!