Are some children more equal than others?

Sarah Boseley’s front page Guardian (3rd May 2014) article revealed “UK child death rate among worst in western Europe”.  The piece goes on to express shock that “children in the UK are more likely to die before they reach their fifth birthday than in any other western European country except Malta”.  The UK does particularly badly within the category known as ‘infant mortality’ - in the first six days of life and from one month to a year.  Sarah Boseley reports the view of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the National Children’s Bureau, who agree that inequalities in UK society are to blame.  In all categories reported deaths rise with socio-economic deprivation.

This morning’s walk from ‘Darkness into Light’ showed London’s Irish community at it’s best.  Hundreds turned out, braving the heavy rain to support Pieta House, a charity dedicated to preventing suicide and self harm.  In the process we sent a strong message to anyone in pain - “You do not walk alone”.