Baby Bank Network Bristol has launched its annual ‘Santa’s Sack Appeal’, raising donations to support families in Bristol that are experiencing poverty or crisis this winter.
As part of the appeal, financial donations made via The Big Give’s #ChristmasChallenge to Baby Bank Network between 28th November until 5 December (midday) will be doubled! That means a donation of £10 becomes £20 for Baby Bank Network Bristol – one donation, twice the impact!
As well as redistributing essential preloved items for children 0-5 years, Baby Bank Network also gives out over 1,000 toiletry packs each year for mums and babies. A pack costs £20 on average and can include essentials such as nappies, baby wipes, nappy cream, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, cotton wool, baby grooming set, moisturiser, maternity and breast pads.
This winter is going to be tough for many families. 1 in 5 children in Bristol live in income deprived families, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis means additional pressure on families already struggling.
On average Baby Bank Network Bristol supports 40 families per week, but around this time of year the charity always sees an increase in referrals to their service. In October its volunteer team packed 69 bundles with essentials for families in one week – more than they have ever packed in a week since the charity was set-up in 2015.
Baby Bank Network Bristol works with over 400 referral partners including The Big Issue, Bristol and Bath. Its Service Delivery Manager, Frankie Stone said, “Baby Bank Network supports so many of our young female service users, it’s an invaluable resource for these women to be able to provide the necessary items for their babies, in a time where essentials are becoming a luxury. It’s a fantastic organisation, and we make on average 5 referrals per month.”
Funds raised through their Santa’s Sack Appeal will provide Baby Bank Network Bristol with much-needed funds to run their core referral service throughout the winter and into 2024. With winter being a particularly difficult time for many families in Bristol, paired with the cost of living crisis, Baby Bank Network is providing an essential service helping keep children safe and well, easing the burden on families already struggling and relieving some of the anxiety that comes with having a newborn.
In addition to asking for financial donations through the Big Give’s #ChristmasChallenge, supporters can host toiletries collections in their places of work or worship, school, playgroup, or community venue and donate them to Baby Bank Network Bristol. Details of toiletries needed can be found on the charity’s website.
Baby Bank Network Bristol collects and re-distributes pre-loved baby and toddler items to families in experiencing poverty or crisis. Supporting women and children fleeing domestic and sexual abuse, families coming out of homelessness, refugees and low-income families, the charity works with referral partners to provide bespoke bundles to help reduce the impact of childhood poverty.
Baby Bank Network is also in need of regular donations to enable them to buy items that cannot be reused, such as cot mattresses and bottle teats. It costs the charity £40 on average to provide a family with everything they need to welcome home their newborn.
There are three easy ways to support Baby Bank Network Bristol this Christmas:
- Donate to their Santa’s Sack Appeal through the Big Give’s #ChristmasChallenge between midday 28 November – midday 5 December, and see your donation doubled!
- Host a toiletries collection in your community and donate these gifts by 19th December.
- Follow Baby Bank Network Bristol on Facebook and help share their Santa’s Sack Appeal with your networks.