A COVENTRY woman driven by the loss of three premature babies to create a charity supporting the care of pregnant women and newborn children has been named in King Charles III’s birthday honours list.
Judith Ledger has been honoured with an MBE for services to pregnant women and newborn babies through her charity Baby Lifeline.
A registered nurse, Judith formed Baby Lifeline in 1981 after suffering the loss of her babies Lisa, Emma and Stuart.
Her efforts began after the loss of her third child, Stuart, when she set out to raise funds for an incubator for Coventry’s Neonatal Unit, where her babies sadly died, as a thank you for their efforts.
She has since used her medical skills and personal understanding of the tragedy of losing a baby to help the charity raise millions of pounds while supporting specialist training in maternity units across the UK.
She has also branched out to create a not-for-profit social enterprise company, Baby Lifeline Training, which provides training internationally.
Judith has since gone on to have three children.
She said: “The charity has been a lifeline for me following the loss of Lisa, Emma and Stuart, and to think that my work has been recognised with an MBE is truly humbling.
“It is also wonderful that patient safety in maternity and neonatal services are being recognised.
“At Baby Lifeline and Baby Lifeline Training, we have the honour of working with truly passionate and dedicated health professionals – I would not have been able to achieve what I have without their support and guidance over the years.”
Judith was among 23 people from across the West Midlands who have been named in King Charles III’s first Birthday Honours List.
Nine other people in the region gained an MBE, while two were gifted a CBE, four were given an OBE and seven were awarded a BEM.
The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE said: “This year’s recipients showcase a range of outstanding achievements and provide an insight into the amazing people that make our region so great.
“We are all immensely grateful for what they do each and every day and I am absolutely delighted to see so many gain the recognition they deserve in the King’s first Birthday Honours.
“Now more than ever, there are so many unsung heroes who deserve to be honoured but they need someone to nominate them.”
This was King Charles’ second honours list since he ascended to the throne last September.
His New Year honours list featured six Coventrians, with Judith the city’s sole representative on his first birthday honours announcement.
