On December 13, the founder of Amy Mother and Childcare Foundation, Amy Mbanaso from Nigeria, brought members of the Taunton community together to launch a new app called ‘Daily Spark’ at Creech St Michael Village Hall.
The non-profit foundation aims to support indigent mothers and children, with the principle that charity volunteers make sure that, to the best of their ability, no one gets overlooked or unhelped with childcare – and this app looks to assist with that.
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The evening featured live performances from musicians such as Chantelle Chloe, who can often be seen busking in Taunton, as well as a Swan Lake show, a DJ set, and a spread of Nigerian food.
Founder of Amy Mother and Childcare Foundation, Amy Mbanaso. (Image: Harry Mockridge/Newsquest)
The official unveiling of the new app was completed with the help of Taunton and Wellington MP, Gideon Amos, who spoke of his pride in supporting the Nigerian community, a large number of whom had attended this event.
He said: “Without many of you, our health service and local economy would probably fall over, so thank you for what you do.
“I, for one, know what a great contribution you bring to Taunton and Wellington and the wider community.
“I’ll let others speak more about Amy’s app, but what I want to say is thank you to Amy for her work, and I’m delighted to unveil the app.”
Later on in the night, there were speeches from Taunton mayor, Cllr Martin Strauss, and former mayor, Cllr Vanessa Garside, who were both equally positive and passionate about Amy’s technical creation.
Deputy Lieutenant of the Somerset Lieutenancy, Brigadier Nigel Beacom, was then introduced to the stage, where he awarded 10 people with “inspirational awards”.
The full list of award winners included: Cllr Vanessa Garside, Cllr Martin Strauss, Chinaemerem Opara, Kolade Ariyo, Melissa Sawyer, Memo Okpalgu, Nick Thomas, Yvonne Lamb, Michael Ukaegbu, and Tomitopo Ojo.
Speaking after giving out the awards to the 10 individuals, brigadier Nigel Beacom said: “Ladies and gentlemen, fellow guests, and friends, thank you, Amy, for that powerful and inspiring introduction. It is a privilege to follow you this evening.
“As has been kindly mentioned, I am Brigadier Nigel Beacom, Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset, and I have the honour of representing the Lord-Lieutenant, Mr.Mohammed Saddiq-His Majesty’s personal representative in this county.
“On behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant, I would like to express what a pleasure it is to join you for this truly meaningful occasion. Gatherings such as this remind us of the very best of our communities-the compassion, courage, and quiet humanity that often go unseen but never go unfelt.
“Somerset is a county rich in civic pride, volunteerism, and a deep sense of responsibility for one another. And tonight, the Amy Mother and Childcare Foundation stands proudly at the heart of that spirit. The stories and achievements we celebrate-acts of kindness, resilience in the face of adversity, and unwavering advocacy for women and children-speak to values that His Majesty holds dear: service, duty, and community.
“The Lord-Lieutenant would wish me to convey his warmest congratulations to the Foundation for its continued impact. The work you do to champion the vulnerable, to protect the girl-child, and to give voice to those who might otherwise go unheard, is not only admirable—it is profoundly necessary.
“You remind us that communities thrive when compassion is active, when help is intentional, and when hope is shared.
“This evening, of course, is also a moment of innovation with the launch of Daily Spark. What a remarkable initiative, born from empathy, designed for wellbeing, and created with the simple but powerful intention of making each day a little brighter for someone who needs it.
“In an age where so many face private battles and unseen burdens, offering a daily message of encouragement is not a small gesture—it is a lifeline.
“And to our award recipients this evening: your contributions reflect the very essence of service. You have each embodied the theme of the night-Inspiring Change and Empowering Lives.
“You have made a difference, not for recognition, but because it was needed. That is the mark of true leadership, and Somerset is better for it.”
The app ‘Daily Spark’ will be released in early 2026 on all platforms.