Celebrant Gives £20k To Baby Loss Charity

A marriage celebrant has spread the love this Valentine's Day by donating £20,000 to a Jersey baby loss charity.

Kenan Osborne  - the Jersey Se Marier - has conducted more than 50 weddings, and given away his profits.

He and wife lost twins in early pregnancy many years ago, and says the work of Philip's Footprints - which supports bereaved families and promotes safer pregnancies - struck a note with him:

" I remember how that felt, and looking for support was difficult at that time.  Philip's Footprints have well and truly stepped into that and taken on that role, and it's a brilliant charity to support."

Kenan says when he applied to become a celebrant four years ago he had to put together a business case and thought it would be great to donate his time and give all the funds to a good cause instead.

"It seemed to me being involved in marrying people in itself would be an amazing journey and I didn’t need to profit from it.”

Kenan says the commitment will be ongoing.

"I think it is a lovely way to support a local charity.  The people getting married like to feel that they are also making a commitment and a support to a charity.

I set myself a £20,000 target.  Thanks to Covid, I hit it a bit later than originally anticipated, but now that everything is up and running I am hoping to hit that £40,000 mark which will be my next challenge."

Philip's Footprints founder Jo Nash says the charity relies heavily on community support and is delighted by Kenan's contribution:

"We know that he regularly puts in a great deal of time to make sure every ceremony is absolutely perfect for the happy couple. To have raised £20,000 is an enormous achievement and we are just so very grateful to him for supporting Philip’s Footprints.”

Philip's Footprints provides support to those affected by the loss of a baby or child, offering comfort in memory boxes, remembrance services, bereavement counselling and one to one support as well as regular support meetings.

The charity now also funds professional training, antenatal equipment and information for pregnant women, to reduce the stillbirth and premature birth rate and complications at birth.

Since beginning to fundraise for the charity, Kenan has become its Chair.

" After 6 months I had found it so rewarding that I agreed to take on the role full time. It also became apparent to me how important it is for the male voice and experience of baby loss to be heard as it is often overlooked, so I thought I could help represent that voice and help promote Philip’s Footprints in a different way.”