THE Princess of Wales today backs The Sun’s Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us appeal, saying of the campaign: “I’m very proud to support it.”
Kate, 41 — known for her work to elevate the importance of early childhood — urged people to volunteer or donate as “the children of today will build the society of the future”.
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Her endorsement is certain to boost the campaign to help struggling families through Britain’s 200 baby banks — the volunteer-led hubs providing essentials such as nappies, toys and clothes from tots to kids up to five.
Kate said baby banks were “doing an incredible job” to help parents and carers struggling to make ends meet.
The princess added: “Early childhood lays the foundations which shape the rest of our lives.
“The relationships young children form, their experiences, and the environment they grow up in matter.
“So, supporting and building capacity for those caring for the youngest members of our society is absolutely essential — especially in these increasingly challenging times.
“I am very proud to support this campaign to encourage everyone to play their part in volunteering or donating to this vital cause.
“Because the children of today will build the society of the future.”
In 2020 the princess — mum to George, nine, Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Louis — brought together 19 UK brands and retailers to donate more than 10,000 new items to baby banks nationwide.
This year she has also launched her own initiative, Shaping Us, to increase understanding of the importance of the first five years of a child’s life.
In April she visited a baby bank in Windsor, Berks — helping to fold donated babygrows while chatting candidly about her own family.
Its co-founder Rebecca Mistry, 44, a mum of two, said: “Princess Kate is so passionate and knowledgeable and she’s what this campaign needs.
“As we packed clothes, she said she was reminded of how little her own children once were, and the consistent need for clothes because children keep growing — and they don’t stop.
“Her knowledge stood out.”
We launched Baby, Bank on Us in partnership with Save The Children, Little Village and UK baby banks last week and urged readers to give cash, supplies and their time.
Readers and firms, including Tesco, Ocado and toy shop chain The Entertainer, have donated generously.
Singer Kimberly Wyatt, 41, TV personality Jessica Wright, 37, and reality star Charlotte Crosby, 33, are among celebrities to support the campaign.
Baby, Bank On Us ambassador Leona Lewis, 38, was “beyond thrilled” at Kate’s backing.
Little Village chief Sophie Livingstone said: “The Princess has long been a supporter of baby banks.
“At a visit to Little Village Brent in North London last year she helped a family pick out beautiful clothes for their two children, showing how invested she is in all children having a bright future.”
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HOW TO HELP
1. DONATE BABY GOODS
BABY banks appreciate brand new products or pre-loved donations. See the location box down below.
BABY BANKS DO ACCEPT:
- Baby and children’s clothing
- Beds and bedding
- Buggies, slings and carriers in good working condition
- Highchairs and feeding products
- Toys and books suitable for small spaces
- Nappies
- Toiletries for babies, toddlers and mums
BABY BANKS DO NOT ACCEPT:
- Used mattresses
- Used breast pumps, bottles, teats or toiletries
- Used car seats
- Single beds or larger
- Furniture, curtains or blinds
- Pregnancy or maternity items
- Reusable nappies and wipes
- Baby foods and medicines
2. DONATE YOUR TIME
IF you have spare time, could you volunteer at a baby bank?
See if there is one near you in the list below, and go to littlevillagehq.org/uk-baby-banks which will direct you to your local centre.
3. DONATE MONEY
IF you can spare some cash, you can donate it via this website:
savethechildren.org.uk/babybanks
BABY BANK LOCATIONS
BELOW is a selection of baby banks by region. See the web address at the end of the page to find contact details for all the country’s baby banks
- NORTH WEST
Baby Basics Bolton & Bury
Baby Basics Carlisle
Trafford Little Bundles
Salford Baby Bank
Snowdrop Doula CIC, Burnley
The Healthy Gems Baby Bank, Oldham
Hyndburn Baby Bank, Accrington - NORTH EAST
Growbaby, Newcastle
Love, Amelia, Sunderland
Birth Bath and Beyond, Scarborough
Clothe and Feed, South Shields
Rosie’s Corner, Hexham
Stockton Baby Bank
Darlington Baby Bank
Growbaby Hull
Hartlepool Baby Bank - NORTH:
Baby Basics, Barnsley
Leeds Baby Bank
Stepping Stones Baby Bank, Wakefield
Baby Basics, Sheffield
Rainbow Baby Bank, Heckmondwike
Bradford Baby Bank
POPI Baby Bank, Keighley
Calderdale Lighthouse, Halifax
Growbaby, York - SOUTH EAST:
Stevenage Babyshed
Baby Basics, Billericay
Growbaby, Whitstable
Baby Basics, Chelmsford
Growbaby, St Albans
Fighting Chance Baby Bank, Petworth
Baby2Baby, East Sussex
First Days, Reading
Baby Basics, Grays
Baby Basics, Shoreham
Stripey Stork, Reigate
Moses Basket, Brentwood
Growbaby, Chelmsford
Growbaby, Wokingham - SOUTH WEST:
Baby Bank Network, Bristol
Baby Basics, Gloucester
Growbaby, Tiverton
Uplift Tiverton, Devon
The Nest Project, Bath
Open Door, Exmouth
Forest of Dean Baby Bank
Stroud District Kid’s Stuff
Teignmouth Baby Bank
Growbaby, Swindon
Gloucestershire Bundles, Quedgeley - SOUTH:
Baby Basics, Portsmouth
Baby Branch, Southampton
Baby Necessities, Southampton
Portsmouth Baby Bank, Hampshire - LONDON:
214 SPACE Baby Bank Hub, Brent
Growbaby, Merton
Bromley Brighter Beginnings
Growbaby, Purley
Growbaby, Enfield
The Small Project, South London
Tiny Toes, Tiny Feet, Northwood
Camberwell Baby Bank
Mama2Mama, Woolwich
Little Village, Tooting
Little Village, Wandsworth - MIDLANDS:
Brierley Hill Baby Bank, Dudley
Baby Basics, Warwick
Baskets of Joy, Leicester
Baby Godiva, Coventry
Elayos Baby Bank, Birmingham
Baby Basics, Wolverhampton
Baby Basics, Northampton
Tots in Need, Walsall
Growbaby, Worcester - EAST:
Abi’s Footprints, Sudbury
Baby Basics, Lowestoft
Baby’s Basket, Lincoln
Suffolk Baby Bank, Bury Saint Edmunds
Growbaby, Thetford
Growkids, Norwich
Fenland Family and Baby Bank, Cambridgeshire
Little Treasures Baby Bank, Horncastle
Little Bundles, Cambridge - WALES:
Baby Basics, Swansea
Cwtch Baby Bank, Cardiff
Cariad a Cwtch Baby Bank, Llandrindod Wells
Pembrokeshire Baby Bank
Splice Baby Bank, Bridgend
Bundles Baby Clothing and Birth Support, Newport - SCOTLAND
Bairn Necessities, Glasgow
AberNecessities, Aberdeen
Growbaby, Fife
Togs for Tots, Dundee
Tiny Treasures, Oban
GRA Baby Bank, Aberdeenshire
Moray Baby Bank
Dingwall Primary Baby Bank
Buttons & Bows, Perth & Kinross - l N IRELAND:
Baby Basics, Antrim & Newtonabbey
Baby Basics, Belfast
Baby Basics, Banbridge
Baby Basics, Magherafelt
Baby Basics, Mullavilly
Growbaby, Enniskillen
Carrickfergus Baby Bank