Mums aim to impress Richard Branson with breastfeeding clothing concept
Two Devon mums are hoping to impress Sir Richard Branson with their new breastfeeding clothing concept.
Mumpreneurs Philippa Doyle and Lisa Lessware, from Totnes, are hoping win a share of £1m in prizes and pitch their business to Richard Branson as part of the Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016 competition.
VOOM 2016 relies on public votes at www.vmbvoom.com to shortlist the UK and Ireland’s most exciting entrepreneurs and Philippa and Lisa from Totnes believe the Bshirt has the idea to impress the public.
“We are passionate about improving breastfeeding rates in the UK and enabling women to breastfeed confidently in public,” say Philippa and Lisa.
Philippa and Lisa have invented a breastfeeding undershirt called the Bshirt that allows women to breastfeed confidently and discretely by keeping their tummy and boobs covered while wearing their favourite clothes.
The inspiration for the top came from Lisa’s experiences while volunteering as a breastfeeding peer supporter at the Totnes Children’s Centre through Action for Children.
Breastfeeding has many proven health benefits to both children and mothers including reduced rates of diabetes, obesity and cancer. Preventing these illnesses could save the NHS and the economy millions each year.
Recent research published in the Lancet has highlighted that the UK has some of the worst breastfeeding rates in the world. Although 81% of new mothers in the UK start off breastfeeding, by 6 months this has fallen to 34% - compared to 71% in Norway.
The law now supports breastfeeding in public, but a survey by Public Health England found that one third of women feel embarrassed feeding outside the home. If more women could breastfeed confidently in public this will help to normalise breastfeeding and increase rates.
“We believe our product can enable more women to breastfeed confidently in public, while wearing their favourite clothes, and helping to normalise breastfeeding, which in turn will improve rates,” say Philippa and Lisa
Profits from the sale of the Bshirt will be donated to charities who provide support to breastfeeding mums and the Bshirt has planned a series of campaigns to further their cause.
Their first campaign is working with Children’s Centres in South Devon to donate Bshirts for new mothers who are struggling to breastfeed in public.
“We are delighted that we will be distributing Bshirts donated by members of the public to women who need them. Even if you aren’t currently breastfeeding, you can still help improve breastfeeding rates by going to our Voom pitch page and pledging to donate a Bshirt” say Lisa and Philippa.
Working together with the Children’s Centre’s, we aim to improve breastfeeding rates in the UK and ultimately make mums and babies healthier and happier.
‘‘Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016 is all about seeking out, supporting and celebrating the UK’s and Ireland’s most exciting businesses. It’s the biggest and most valuable pitch competition out there - we’re hoping everyone will find a way to get involved!’ says Sir Richard Branson.
Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business adds, “We’re in the business of accelerating great ideas and boosting local businesses,” says. “Whether that’s by helping the UK’s entrepreneurs access superfast broadband, or by establishing the country’s most exciting pitch competition, we’re proud to be helping small businesses succeed.”
As well as showing your support for local business, your votes could result in Virgin Media Business crowning Totnes as Britain’s most entrepreneurial town so get voting now!
Voting for the Bshirt’s VOOM 2016 pitch is open until 23rd May so don’t delay and cast your vote today: http://tinyurl.com/bshirt-voom
