Momentum Children's Charity has appointed Sarah Woods as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

With extensive experience in the charity sector and a passion for supporting children, Woods has worked across a number of communications, fundraising and strategic roles at similar organisations.

Woods will join the charity from Starlight Children's Foundation where she is Director of Fundraising & Marketing.

Her key achievements within her current role include rebranding Starlight, which saw the charity grow substantially to over two million service touchpoints a year.

Woods, who lives in Epsom, also holds a voluntary position as a Trustee at Age Concern, where she has a specific responsibility for fundraising.

Joining Momentum at the beginning of May, she will replace Founder and CEO, Bianca Effemey OBE, who established the charity in 2004.

Woods will be based at the charity's offices in East Molesey.

Speaking about why she decided to into the charity sector, Woods told Nub News: "I've worked for charities throughout my whole career, really, and I think quite early on, I realised that I wanted to do something that was rewarding and that made a difference.

"I didn't want to go into work every day to just make money or whatever. I realised that a really key part of what my career was about was helping other people and making a difference and trying to make the world a better place."

Woods told Nub News that she wanted to work for Momentum Children's Charity for "a couple of reasons", with the first being because it operates in the area she lives in.

"So, I'm passionate about that from a regional perspective," she said.

The second reason, she says, is because "my last job at Starlight was very much about children and families going through similar situations with long term health outcomes or cancer and any child going to hospital, So I've had a lot of experience of working with children and families in those same situations.

"So, I do feel very passionate about that whole area. And, as Momentum says, it can be a really frightening, lonely time for families, so I think it looks amazing what Momentum does in terms of just being there by the families' side when their children get a diagnosis and tailoring the support to what the families need, which I think is incredible.

"I'm also a mum of three children, so it obviously speaks to me from that perspective as well, from a very personal point of view."

Talking about her new position, she said: "I am deeply honoured to accept the role of CEO at Momentum Children's Charity. Following in the footsteps of Bianca Effemey, whose leadership over the past 21 years has been nothing short of extraordinary, I am committed to continuing the incredible work she has built.

"Momentum's mission to support children and families facing cancer or life-challenging conditions is one that resonates profoundly with me, and I am excited to lead this incredible organisation as we remain a steadfast source of care, compassion, and strength.

"No family should ever have to face these challenges alone, and I look forward to leading this vital work forward for as long as we are needed."

She continued: "I just want to soak it all up as soon as I get to Momentum and listen and learn from everyone that's been there, because what they do is fantastic.

"So, I just want to build on what they're doing and understand it.

"And because my background is in fundraising, I'm keen to bring that expertise to the charity and help us grow the income, which obviously in turn will help us increase the impact that we can have with more families in more areas and more hospitals."

In her previous role at Starlight, Woods worked closely with Kingston Hospital and hopes to continue Momentum's relationship with the hospital in her new role.

Momentum supports families across Sussex, London (including Kingston), and Surrey whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition, offering personally tailored support to the entire family through its family support workers, both in hospital and at home.  

Momentum has grown significantly over the last 21 years, expanding its reach and impact across the hospitals and communities it works with.

Today, the charity supports more than 400 families who have a seriously ill child. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, Momentum has a specialist bereavement service called Echoes, which currently supports more than 150 families.

Graham Smith, Chair of Trustees at Momentum Children's Charity said: "We are delighted to welcome Sarah Woods to Momentum Children's Charity. Her experience and passion will be invaluable as we continue to support families facing some of the toughest challenges, and as the charity continues to grow.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to Bianca Effemey for all that she has done for Momentum.

"Her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the charity will continue to inspire us all as we move into this next phase."

Bianca Effemey OBE is entering retirement but will remain part of Momentum Children's Charity as Founder and lifelong President.

Find out more about the work of Momentum Children's Charity via its website.