Newborn gets baby bank’s 1,000th gift basket

A baby bank that fills Moses baskets with essentials for Erewash newborns and which is backed by telly’s Rev Kate Bottley has marked a major milestone – by giving away its 1,000th.

The Bundles of Hope and Baby Basics charity has proved a godsend for struggling local mums since launching in the borough six years ago.

It is part of a network of 54 baby banks that first started in Sheffield in 2009. Gogglebox star Rev Kate (pictured below right) is a keen backer – and donated her £800 winnings to the charity after she appeared on Tipping Point: Lucky Stars.

The local branch – based at the Mohan Business Centre in Long Eaton’s Tamworth Road – described its 1,000th basket as an “amazing achievement”.

Husband and wife Erewash councillors Frank and Pam Phillips joined volunteers at the centre for “celebratory cake”. Former mayor Frank said: “It is worth remembering these baskets help new mothers as well as their babies. That means the number of individuals who have benefited is 2,000 – and probably more!”

One local mum grateful for the charity’s help said: “They are very welcoming and friendly – and had some lovely clothes for my baby girl.” Another told of calling in to donate old baby clothes – and how she felt “totally uplifted” by the kindness she was shown.

The mother said: “I was told basically help myself to absolutely anything baby needs from the rails. All for free.  This place is so much more than a drop-off centre – they literally welcome you in like a second home. It made me feel a bit emotional – they were so nice.”

The charity’s Jane Allen told how staff do not meet the mothers-to-be but liaise with health professionals including midwives in the weeks before a baby is born. Around 24 baskets a month are filled with nappies, clothes, toiletries and other essentials.

Jane said: “It is Baby Basics UK policy not to meet the mums but the midwives often say how amazed the mothers are at how much is in the basket and how very grateful they are – as sometimes they have nothing and no-one.”

Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing at Erewash Borough Council, Cllr Josy Hare, said: “The baby bank’s fantastic efforts continue to provide vital help to local mothers and their little ones. We salute the hard work of all those involved with the charity.”