IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
GRADUATIONS, NEW STUDENTS, LIVE MUSIC AND GENEROUS DONATIONS
- Three more HLMT-sponsored students have completed their degree and are due to graduate in November
- Four students have been selected to receive HLMT grants when they commence their studies in September
- Upcoming events, including music nights on 10th October and 28th November
- Three large generous donations from supporters
- Any leftover currency to donate to HLMT?
- A number of very successful recent events
- Standing orders, donations and bequests in wills
1. Liberian Developments
All 10 students are on track. Three of them (Benetta, Dorcus and Victoria) have finished their degree studies and are ready to graduate. The Graduation has been delayed from May to October/November, though, because the Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery is going through a lengthy process of reaccrediting all Liberian training colleges and graduation cannot happen until this is complete.
HLMT is currently sponsoring ten midwifery students at the Phoebe-Esther Bacon College of Health Sciences. The grade sheets and semester reports from Esther Bacon college for each student show that all students have passed their courses, a couple achieving outstanding results.
The next round of student selections took place on 31st July, with Abdul Bah representing HLMT. We’ve recruited 4 new HLMT students who will begin their studies in September.
The British Embassy does not yet know its financial allocation for this year. They held a classical concert in June, though, attended by Abdul and also Esther and Johanna, the 2 first-year students being financed by the embassy. The concert raised $608 for HLMT – they’re hoping to run further events during the year.
Our first two HLMT-sponsored students graduated in May 2024. Aminata Sumanie is working at a hospital in Foya and Suah Valai at a hospital at Nimba. Both are working voluntarily without pay while waiting for their exam results from the Liberian Nursing and Midwifery Board
2. Upcoming events
* HLMT stall at Nottingham Green Festival, Sunday 14 September from 12 noon
Featuring indoor and outdoor plants, greetings cards, Liberian Lapa fabric arts and crafts, home-made preserves and more… Come and say hello and have a look at what’s on the stall. We look forward to seeing you there.
* Live music fundraiser with 3 bands Friday 10th October
HLMT presents another great evening of music featuring:
- Jennifer Bell and Wilson Walker with Daniel Kittmer: Original songs in the folk tradition – guitar, lute, fiddle and bodhran
- Cobalt Tales: Music from the heart that stirs the soul – acoustic & bass guitars, soulful vocals, engaging harmonies
- Jelly: Feel-good, foot-tapping sounds from across the decades
Plus……. RAFFLE (cash please) and HLMT’s Liberian Arts & Crafts Stall. Main Hall, United Reformed Church, 1, Edwards Lane, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 3AA.
Tickets £12 in advance, from https://www.trybooking.com/uk/EOGQ
(£15 on the door if not sold out). Book early to avoid disappointment!
* SECOND Big Give fundraising Women and Girls Programme, 8th to 15th October
Once again, HLMT’s bid for this match-funded programme in 2025 has just been ACCEPTED!! Supporters can donate up to a collective total of £2,500 to HLMT via the Big Give website between midday on 8th and midday on 15th October. This will be match-funded by BG. So, hopefully we’ll be able to raise £5,000 in total if supporters donate generously. In due course details will be posted on the HLMT website and emailed to supporters.
* HLMT Crafts and Plants stall, Sherwood Vegan Market, Saturday 8th November 10.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Sherwood URC, 1, Edwards Lane, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 3AA
Please come and browse and say hello! Christmas and greetings cards, Liberian Lapa fabric arts and crafts, home-made preserves and more – perfect gifts for Christmas!
* Live music fundraiser with 3 acts on Friday 28th November
Another brilliant evening of music featuring:
- Connexion Man: A band of tunesmiths featuring lots of harmony, instrument swapping and catchy original pop songs
- Matt Blick: A singer/songwriter peddling tall tales, love letters, riddles & one-sided arguments both spiritual & political
- Terminal 5 Experience: Classic pop and rock songs to get you dancing!
Tickets £12 in advance, from https://www.trybooking.com/uk/EOHC (£15 on the door if not sold out)!
* Boots Orchestra fundraising concert for HLMT Saturday 29th November, Sherwood URC, 1 Edwards Lane, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 3AA
The programme is still to be finalised. It will, however, include a Beethoven piano concerto and a piece by a Black African or African-American composer. Details will be posted on the HLMT website.
3. Donations
So many supporters continue to donate to HLMT either through regular monthly standing orders or one-off donations. We are very, very grateful to everyone for this support. Recently, we have had exceptionally large donations or fundraising efforts by four sets of supporters that we would like to share.
* Izzi – how a great tragedy has led to a positive legacy
Having grown up in Nottingham, 23 year old Izzi had settled and was living with her Mexican boyfriend in Guadalajara, Mexico. On March 29 2018, whilst cycling with her family, she was hit by a truck and killed. The tragic loss of their daughter turned Ed and Laurie’s lives upside down.
In early 2025, Ed and Laurie attended a live HLMT music fundraiser to support a friend who was playing in one of the bands. At that gig they heard for the first time about Helen Loewenstein, and HLMT, and the work which the Trust is doing in Liberia. They were extremely moved by what they heard – which reflected Izzi’s long time interest in women’s health issues.
Following the gig, after much discussion, and after finding out more about HLMT – how it works, its short-term and longer-term aims and how it is run – they decided to make a substantial donation to HLMT in memory of Izzi. Their donation will pay for all the training of three Liberian student midwives throughout their degree studies. HLMT is extremely grateful to Ed and Laurie for their very generous donation. More importantly, Izzi’s legacy will live on through the work of those three Liberian midwives who, without the donation and grant, would not be able to train to become midwives.
* £3.6k from midwife Katy Newsome and her family
Through a Moreenable fund that they have set up. Katy explains, we “felt motivated to support HLMT as a reflection of our gratitude towards midwives across the globe, especially knowing that there is not access to the same level of care in many countries.”
* Over £3.6k raised by Di Jelley for her London Marathon run in late April
Long-time HLMT supporter and friend of Helen’s family, Di ran the London Marathon, in memory of her husband, Phil, who worked extensively in several African countries, and to raise as much money as possible for HLMT. She publicised her sponsored run widely among her friends, and HLMT also shared this information. On a very hot and wet day, Di completed the marathon in around the same time as her first marathon 20 years earlier! AND she managed to raise a huge £3,600+, sufficient to fund the full 4-year degree for a Liberian Midwifery student. Huge thanks to Di and her friends.
* £950 raised by Jean Bull’s family from her family and friends at her funeral
Jean was an active HLMT supporter and a member of Sherwood United Reformed Church. She sadly died recently at the age of 91. She knitted countless beautiful baby clothes and blankets for Liberian children. She and her daughters decided that people should donate to HLMT rather than bring flowers to the funeral. Their generosity raised a massive £950 for HLMT. Thank you to Jean, Chris and Jen for supporting us in this way.
4. Seasonal merchandise on the HLMT Etsy-shop
In addition to the wide range of HLMT merchandise, seasonal merchandise, including Christmas cards, will be added in October. Existing items include greetings cards, cushion covers, tote and shopping bags, table runners and matching place mats, in addition to aprons (S, M, L), lavender bags, festival bunting, hair scrunchies, all made using genuine Liberian Lapa fabric.
Visit our shop at https://HLMTMerchandise.etsy.com to see the full range of our stock and to browse and buy! Free P&P!
5. Leftover currency to donate to HLMT? Ask your family and friends if they have any too!
Do you have any coins or notes in a jam jar or lurking in the back of a drawer, from holidays which are a distant memory, (or maybe some old British currency you’ve been hoarding)???
HLMT can convert this into funds to pay for the training of midwives in Liberia!
Bring them along to any of our events
or pass on to one of the trustees
or donate online at: https://www.leftovercurrency.com/charity/the-helen-loewenstein-memorial-trust/
6. Recent Events
* Live Music fundraiser with 4 acts: Friday 28th March 2025 at 7.15 p.m. – SOLD OUT
A full-house enjoyed another brilliant night of live music at Sherwood URC. AJAR, Bronwyn Westacott, Fieldwork-Reworked and Jelly treated the audience to wonderful music with a wide range of powerful songs from a variety of genres. Over £1460 was raised for HLMT’s work sponsoring Liberian midwifery students in Zorzor. Huge thanks go to the musicians who all played free of charge, to Dave and Noel on sound, to Sherwood URC, to everyone who came and supported the event and to HLMT trustees and volunteers Abdul, Carol, Chris J, Chris R, Julian, Lorna, Pete, Pippa, Ros and Stella.
* Presentation by Abdul-rahman Bah to NNACP Joint Service on 29th March 2025
HLMT’s Liberian representative, Abdul-rahman Bah made a presentation to the North Notts Area Church Partnership Joint Service on 29th March 2025. Stella Nickolay introduced Abdul and the work of HLMT more generally. The focus of Abdul’s talk was the roles he performs to support HLMT in Liberia.
* Live Music fundraiser with 3 acts: Friday 9th May 2025 at 7.30 p.m.
HLMT presented another great evening of music to a packed hall. The audience was treated to a musical feast by 3 great acts: Cellotapes, Paul Carbuncle and Strawberry Jammers.
A brilliant £1,000+ was raised for HLMT funds, all of which will go to paying the study and accommodation fees of student midwives in Liberia. Huge thanks go to all the musicians, who played free of charge, to Dave and Marion Downs who did a superb job on sound, and to all the HLMT supporters who volunteered to help.
* HLMT Crafts and plants stalls at Crimson Tree, 17th May and 26th July; and at Sherwood Vegan Market, 14th June
These three stalls attracted large numbers of interested Nottinghamians and raised over £1,300 for HLMT funds. Big thanks to HLMT trustees Carol M, Celia, Nick, Pete and Stella and to HLMT supporters Annette, Carol L, Chris J, Linda and Liz for volunteering on the day. And special thanks to the owner and staff of the wonderful Crimson Tree cafe for their support.
7. Standing orders, donations and bequeaths in wills
HLMT aims to recruit at least 2 new midwifery students each academic year.
The mainstay of our fundraising is the regular Standing Orders and one-off donations from supporters, which are crucial to our work and for which we are so grateful. We continue to fundraise, however we still have a long way to go before we are financially sustainable into the future.
Our overheads are minimal – there are no paid staff; so almost all the funds we raise are used to fund the training costs of student midwives in Liberia. If you have not already done so, it would be tremendous if you could please set up a Standing Order, no matter how small or large.
https://hlmt.org.uk/hlmt-Standing-Order-Mandate.pdf
Please return the form to HLMT at the address on the form and NOT to your bank.
Whilst we hope that all of our supporters have long and happy lives, we would also be very grateful if you feel able to include HLMT in your will!
As always, a massive “thank you” to everyone who has supported the work of The Helen Loewenstein Memorial Trust www.hlmt.org.uk – also to our trustees, volunteers, supporters, and Sherwood URC for providing space for us to meet and hold events at minimal cost.
Helen would be astonished but very proud at what is being achieved in her memory!
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