Maya’s Law campaigners host pancake event in Consett

As a thank you to families who have supported the Maya’s Law campaign, launched by Maya Chappell’s great aunts Gemma and Rachael, a pancake party was held in Consett on Sunday (February 16).

Defenceless Maya, two, died in Newcastle’s RVI days after being violently shaken by her mother’s new partner, Michael Daymond, at their home in Shotton Colliery in September 2022.

Gemma Chappell (left), Rachael Walls (centre) from the Maya’s Law campaign and Jemma Bushby from Creative Kitchen HQ (Image: RACHAEL WALLS/GEMMA CHAPPELL)

Daymond was later jailed for life, while Maya’s mother, Dana Carr, received a nine-year sentence for allowing her daughter’s death.

Gemma Chappell (left), Rachael Walls (right) from the Maya’s Law campaign and Jemma Bushby (centre) from Creative Kitchen HQ (Image: RACHAEL WALLS/GEMMA CHAPPELL)

The campaign is calling for the introduction of a Child Risk Disclosure Scheme (CRDS), alongside stronger multi-agency information sharing, to close gaps in the safeguarding system, and a petition hit 100,000 signatures last month.

The cooking event on Sunday at Creative Kitchen HQ was also about keeping conversations going around safeguarding, Gemma said.

Creative Kitchen HQ boss Jemma Bushby, who has supported the campaign from the outset, said she was keen to bring families together while creating a relaxed space to talk about the importance of protecting children.

Children cracked, mixed, poured and flipped their way through the session, each making their own pancake batter before cooking them.

Maya’s Law pancake event (Image: RACHAEL WALLS/GEMMA CHAPPELL)

They then decorated their creations with fruit and sweet treats, resulting in what organisers described as “lots of chocolate-covered smiles”.

Young attendees also had the chance to practise pancake flipping with mini pans and design their ultimate pancake creations.

Maya’s Law pancake event (Image: RACHAEL WALLS/GEMMA CHAPPELL)

Maya’s Law pancake event (Image: RACHAEL WALLS/GEMMA CHAPPELL)

The party was part-funded by Maya’s Law, helping to reduce costs for local families.

Maya’s Law pancake event (Image: RACHAEL WALLS/GEMMA CHAPPELL)

Maya’s Law pancake event (Image: RACHAEL WALLS/GEMMA CHAPPELL)

With a petition now surpassing 110,000 signatures and North East MPs backing calls for a parliamentary debate, organisers say community events like the Pancake Party are an important reminder of the people behind the campaign.

One organiser said: “This campaign is about giving Maya a voice.

“Days like this are about bringing families together, building life skills and reminding everyone why safeguarding matters.”