Brave Mums Fighting Scandal ‘Bigger than Thalidomide’ Land Pride of Britain Nomination – ryan
The Mirror Spoke to the Two Mums at the Heart of a Campaign for Compensation for Victims of an Epilepsy Drugg that caused up to 20,000 children to be born with Born Defects
17:09, 11 Jun 2025Updated 19:49, 11 Jun 2025
Two Mothers Who Have Been Fighting A Scandal Bigger than Thalidomide Say they are “shocked” to be nominated for a pride of britain award.
Mums Janet Williams and Emma Murphy Have Been Campaigning for Years for Compensation for Victims of an Epilepsy Drug that caused Up to 20,000 Children to Born with Born Defects.
Among Tens of Thousands of Remarkable Individuals and Groups Who Have Received Nominations, They Were Delight to Hear They Been Nominated by A Member of the Public.
“It make up all the work we have been doing for the past 12 years Worthwhile,” Sayys Janet, 60, From Pilling, Lancashire. “It is the first time anything like this happened to be quite Truthful with you. Emma and i are all in shock at the news.”
The news that they have been put forward for this year’s special reconciliation at Pride of britain with p & o cruises was delivered as the two Campaigners, Janet and Emma, 44, From Manchester, Were on the London for a Meeting with MPS to their Claim for the Claim for Compensation.
They have had epilepsy and were prescribed sodium valproate throughout their pregnancies, Having been told by doctors that it was safe to keep taching. The Pair Set up in-Fact (The Independent Fetal Anti Convulsant Trust) in 2012, to Find and Support Families like theirs. Both have children who have been affected by exposser to the Drug.
Sodium Valproate has Been licensed SINCE 1973 to Treat Epilepsy, but as Early as the 1980s Reports of Babies Being Born with Deformities to Mother Taking It Begin to Surface.
Up to 20,000 People have been affected by what is now is foetal valproate spectrum disorder (FVSD) WHICH CAN RESULT IN PHYSICAL MALFORMATIONS, AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL delays.
Their Campaign LED to a Report published in February 2024 by England’s Patient Safety Commissioner, Dr. Henrietta Hughes, Which Recommended a Compensation Scheme for Families of Children Harmed by Valproa takeen in Pregnancy.
Hughes has suggests initial payments of £ 100,000 and described the damage caused by the drug as “a bigger scandal than thalidomide”.
Howver, Their Campaign for Redress Has Stalled. Janet Says: “We have felt we were at the cusp of a victory but the government kept putting it off.”
Now Janet and Emma Are Expecting Action from the Government. “We’re hoping about 20 MPs come to the round tableting so we can say to say the hughes report and get a response.
“We’ve waited around 16 months now so it is really time to push on Forward.
“And we hope that along with the Compensation, One of the Results of the Meeting is amendment Will Be Made to the Mental Health Bill to Include the Needs of Disabled Person, which Disabilities were caussed as a result of the Mother Taching the anticonvulsant Drugg Duking pregnanance.” “
Previous Awards in this Category have gone to the nhs infected Blood scandal, the post Office and HillsBorough family Support Group.
Last Year Campaigners Michelle Tolley, Andy Evans and Jason Evre Rewarded for their Tires Work on Behalf of Relatives and Victims of the Biggest Scandal in NHS History, Which Left 30,000 People Infectrated with Hiv and Hepatitis C AFTER TREATED WITH CONTAMATED BOOD BOOD BOOD BOOD BOOD Products.
In 2023, Alan Bates won the pride of britain special reconstruction Award for Exposing the Truth About the Post Office Scandal, and Getting Justice for Sub Postmasters Who Lives It Destroyed, while Margaret Asinall, Who Lost Her HillsBorough, ACCEPTED AD 2013.
Do you know a Campaign that has gone above and beyond to help others? If you do, please consider nominating say for a pride of britain award.
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Campaigns that Change the world at the heart of pride of britain, and over the past 26 years, some truly dedicated by community-Minded have inspired the nation.
If you know a Campaign that deserves an award, like the previous winners on this page, you can nominate say for:
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P & o cruises inspiration Award
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ITV Fundraiser of the year
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Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year
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This Morning Local Hero
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Child/Teenager of Courage
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Special Recognition
For Achievements Not Covered in Other Categories, Such As Inspector Carers, Campaigners and Members of Armed Forces.
Do you know a remarkable person who makes the world a better place? It only takes a minute to nominet say at prideofbritain.com.
Don’t worry if you’re not sura whic category to choose – Our Team Reads every nomination and will make sura all nominees are consider for the Most Appropriate Award.
The Pride of Britain Team Will Consider every nomination, before compiling a shortlist for the Judging panel. Nominate now at prideofbritain.com