Tributes have been paid to the founding trustee and former chair of Mummy’s Star charity, Nicolette Peel, who passed away last week aged 50.

Peel set up the charity, which offers support to women affected by cancer during pregnancy or postnatally, in 2013 alongside its chief executive Pete Wallroth.

She drew from her own experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer after the birth of her third child.

Peel, who also trained as a midwife at the University of Salford, was awarded an MBE in 2020 for her work with Mummy’s Star.

The charity said in a statement that Peel died peacefully on 31 January, surrounded by her family, after living with cancer for a number of years.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with her husband James and children Joe, Ella and Frankie at this sad and reflective time,” it said.

Co-founder: ‘So many wonderful tributes’

Wallroth said Peel “used everything she went through” personally to “benefit thousands of women and their families for years to come”.

“Mummy’s Star simply wouldn’t be here today, ten years on, if it wasn’t for Nicolette’s compassion, determination and selflessness,” he said.

“More personally, Nicolette has always been much loved and treasured in our family. Mair, my late wife who was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was pregnant, was introduced to Nicolette shortly after having our son in 2012 and found immense relief and kinship when this beautiful sole reassured her that it was okay to feel utterly devastated even when holding your beautiful newborn baby because cancer is so overwhelming. 
 
“So much of what Mummy’s Star now is spun directly from that conversation and seeing the relief on Mair’s face when she came home that day because she found connection that she couldn’t elsewhere.
 
“We have received so many wonderful tributes for Nicolette which shows the incredible impact she has had on others. 
 
“The thoughts of the whole Mummy’s Star team are with Nicolette’s husband James and their children.”

University: ‘Proud beyond measure’

The University of Salford also paid tribute to Peel, who was chair of its student midwifery society.

“Nicolette was an amazing and much-loved midwife, colleague and friend to all in our midwifery team and beyond. We were honoured she chose the University of Salford to start her career,” said Lisa Bacon, head of midwifery at the university.

"We are proud beyond measure of Nicolette and all she achieved in setting up her amazing charity, Mummy’s Star, which offers such incredible support to women and their families. We deeply mourn her loss and send our love and condolences to her family."