Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown of PiggybBankKids talks to Clarissa Dann...
When did you first decide to get involved with charities?
I have worked with charities for many years – first as a communications adviser, more recently in running children’s charity PiggyBankKids as my main focus of work, and as patron of a number of great charities.
Why was this?
I established PiggyBankKids to enable me to work closely with some great children’s health professionals to create opportunities for vulnerable young people, children and babies who would otherwise miss out on life chances. I chose the charities to be patron where I admire their work and achievements and believed I could contribute something myself. The work of SHINE in education, Wellbeing of Women for medical research, Women’s Aid to combat domestic violence and Maggie’s Centre’s to provide unique cancer support services – gives me a range of challenges.
How do you balance your diverse charity work with the political environment and family life?
Charity work allows me to use my professional skills in a structured but flexible way. I hope that the profile I have in Downing Street brings additional benefit to the all important fundraising, marketing and profile needs of each charity. I imagine that my working life is similarly complicated to many working mums who also have a busy husband. I do tend to have many unusual days meeting extraordinary people but I am very committed to the charities I work with.
What is your vision for PiggyBankKids?
To fund and work closely with a number of valuable projects that change the lives of children and babies. Its major project is the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory in Edinburgh which carries out pioneering medical research into pregnancy difficulties and to save newborn lives. The young scientists there are already publishing their papers and presenting their work at influential conferences internationally.
Having launched a charity – what are the learning points?
The role of trustees is demanding and complex with serious responsibility. The success of a new charity seems to me to lie in the thoughtful preparation, detailed planning for all eventualities and maintaining a regular training programme. Good trustees make for a great charity and investment in their knowledge and experience pays great dividends.
What do you think are the pressing issues facing the charity sector today?
I have written before that donors need to consider core funding for charities, not just project support. Charities need to find a way to ensure their long-term stability in order to plan properly. The new partnership relationships that are evolving for charities present many new options and meet greater needs.
How do you relax from the various day jobs?
Spending time off duty with my family at our home in Fife.
What about radio, music and books?
Having two young boys I tend to watch and listen to more children’s TV and radio than anything for grown-ups. The music at the Nelson Mandela concert was fantastic, a perfect selection for me. I was hosting a Maggie’s Centre drinks while Gordon attended the concert – so I caught it later on the TV.
Best of times?
This summer was magical, relaxing in a big garden with Gordon and watching the kids run around, and having friends round in the evening for long dinners out in the open. The perfect holiday, although the perfect weather helped.
Sarah Brown was talking to Clarissa Dann
Author: Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown is married to Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
She is president of the Chirldren's charity PiggyBankKids, which she founded in 2002, and has edited a number of books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Sarah is also the patron of a number of charities including SHINE, Maggie's Centre's, Wellbeing of Women, Women's Aid and the White Ribbon Alliance.
There are no comments on this article. Be the first to comment.