Gigi campaign launched to protect other children

GENEVIEVE Meehan was killed at a place where she should have been safe.

- BY KATIE WHEELER, JOHN MEEHAN

Her parents, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan, have turned their grief into a campaign for change.

Nine-month-old Genevieve, or 'Gigi' as her family affectionately called her, was put down to sleep in such a way that it would have been obvious that the risk to her health was high. Tightly swaddled, strapped face down onto a beanbag, she was left for 90 minutes by her nursery worker Kate Roughley at Tiny Toes Children's Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.

Investigations into her death revealed multiple examples of harm being done to children.

Writing for our sister paper the Manchester Evening News, Katie and John say that children are at the heart of their campaign, and are the most vulnerable members of our society. Sadly knowing all too well what terrible consequences can occur, they say that the current system is failing and urgent change is needed.

We launched Gigi's Campaign on 9th May 2025. Since then, we have been overwhelmed by the response. Over 20,000 people have visited the campaign website and we have received hundreds of messages of support from parents and others. Many of you have shared personal experiences of inadequate nursery care that has affected your children. Like us, many of you are incredulous that the simple and straightforward changes that we are seeking are not in place already.