MP backs local charity's maternity leave campaign 

Jon Pearce MP has hosted a drop-in event in Parliament for Mummy’s Star, the UK’s only charity supporting mums diagnosed with cancer in and around pregnancy.

The charity was founded by Glossop resident Pete Wallroth in 2013 in memory of his wife Mair who tragically passed away from cancer shortly after the birth of their son. The charity has since supported over 2,000 families nationwide and Pete is now campaigning for better maternity protections for pregnant women and mums with cancer. 

The “Save Our Bond” campaign calls on the Government to allow maternity leave to be deferred until treatment has concluded. This would allow for women to spend their maternity leave bonding with their child as it should be, rather than spending it consumed by appointments and treatment. Mummy’s Star have reported that around 700 women a year across the UK could benefit from this change. 

Mummy’s Star point to Ireland as an example of how this legislative change could work. In 2024, Irish legislation was brought forward to allow employees who receive a diagnosis of a serious illness to postpone their maternity leave until treatment has concluded. This legislation was introduced following a successful campaign by the Irish Cancer Society and Mummy’s Star sees this as the model for the Save Our Bond campaign. 

Jon Pearce MP said: 

"It was an honour to host Pete and the fantastic team at Mummy’s Star in Parliament last week. Their work is lifechanging for so many mums and their families facing the most unimaginably difficult circumstances, and it was powerful to listen to the stories of the families joined the event.  

"I heard some heartbreaking stories of mothers whose maternity leave was spent undergoing treatment apart from their child. As a dad I know just how important that time together is and should be protected. 

"This event in Parliament was an important first step in raising awareness of this campaign with other MPs. The Government is currently consulting on possible changes to parental leave. I would encourage people to respond to that consultation and to highlight what a difference we could make to so many families if they were able to defer or pause maternity leave for pregnant women and mums diagnosed with cancer. 

"I will continue to support Pete and Mummy’s Star in their campaign and wider work." 

Pete Wallroth said: 

“The launch of the "Save Our Bond" campaign at parliament this week has presented us with a great opportunity to explain more to MPs about the issues facing families when they receive a cancer diagnosis during their pregnancy or up to 12 months postnatally.  

"We’re very grateful to our sponsor Jon Pearce MP for hosting us and giving families the chance to explain first hand to MPs what they have been through and why being able to defer their maternity leave commencing in the face of rigorous cancer treatment and surgery is so important for their bond with their babies and their long-term recovery.  

"Key introductions have now been made and we’re eagerly awaiting the next steps after Jon raised the issue in the House and our further input to push for this key change in legislation to be made.” 

You can find more information at: www.mummysstar.org