A ONE-OFF initiative to help hard up families with clothes for newborn babies and toddlers has grown into a full time Redditch charity.
The spark came from new mum Hannah Cartwright who, inspired by Labour Councillor Joe Baker’s successful School Uniform Bank, decided to do the same for baby clothes.
That was back in January, but the event proved such a success that Matchborough resident Sarah Roberts saw the potential to keep it running full time.
Now, after recently receiving charitable status, Redditch Baby Bank can start applying for grants to secure its future.
“When I had my little girl it was quite scary and I thought there must be other mums out there without much money,” said Hannah.
“I thought of the school uniform bank and went from there.
“I just saw it as a one-off but Sarah reached out and said she wanted to do it as a proper charity and now its massive helping families every week.”
Sarah added: “I have a baby myself and I know how much it costs to clothe them and how quickly they grow too.
“It’s nice to be able to re-use what are perfectly good clothes which would otherwise be thrown away or put in a cupboard.”
The charity is properly constituted while at the business end Matchborough Boxing Club has stepped up as a drop off point for donations of baby clothes.
“The support we’ve had from the people of Redditch has been absolutely fantastic and we’ve helped a lot of families.
“It’s sad they need the help but it’s good we’re in a position to do it.”
The charity is now applying for grants to pay for mattresses, toiletries and sanitary products – which have to be new – to further help hard-up Redditch families.
To contact Redditch Baby Bank call 07340 921000, email: [email protected] or visit www.redditchbabybank.co.uk.
