As part of the CSP yearly Christmas charity draw, Leeds Baby Bank won our 2021 donation of £250. Our Christmas charity draw involves each member of staff to nominate a charity of their choice to be potentially chosen at random as that year’s winner. Last Christmas our Marketing Manager, Natteleigh, nominated Leeds Baby Bank and they won!
Natteleigh Sydney-Smith, said:
“I chose Leeds Baby Bank as I wanted a local charity to support that are supporting the Leeds community. I’m very happy Leeds Baby Bank won as they give crucial supplies to more vulnerable families across Leeds.”
Once the charity knew they had won, after Christmas Natteleigh and Lynne Mowles, CSP’s Office Manager, went down to the charity’s unit and had a tour of their warehouse to see their day-to-day operations.
About Leeds Baby Bank
Leeds Baby Bank have been running for just over 5 years now and they only have 3 members of staff and around 30 volunteers to help with their daily operations. The charity costs around £90,000 to run each year and have about 120 families referred to their services a week! Leeds Baby Bank help families that have a low income, are vulnerable and/or asylum seekers for example. The much-needed items available to these families range from clothing up to 5 years old, to prams, baby formula, nappies, adult toiletries and many more. Volunteers sort through donation bags and categorise the items into product type, age and gender (for clothes) then package about 20 essential bundles to go out to families. Take a look below:
What’s needed?
Most items are donated second hand but some specific items for hygiene and safety purposes have to be purchased by the charity brand new, if there is enough funding. Some examples of items that are in high demand by families include:
- Double prams – if these aren’t donated then the charity will purchase new prams that cost about £150 if they can, donated second hand prams are all checked for potential break faults and secure bolts etc.,
- Baby formula – about £9 per product,
- Toddler beds – these are in high demand around 20-30 beds are needed a week,
- New mattresses for toddler beds are around £20 new, as the charity can’t accept old/donated toddler mattresses for hygiene reasons,
- And finally, cots, cot sheets and blankets are in critical need.
Will Munton, Charity Manager, said:
‘We are so thankful for the donation from CSP, this donation will likely purchase key stock items, that will be distributed to families in crisis who attend our outreach project. The funding will go directly towards helping children in poverty, we really appreciate the support from CSP!”
CSP presented Will with a certificate to acknowledge Leeds Baby Bank was the CSP Christmas Charity Draw winner 2021 of the £250 donation pictured below.
If you too want to help then please visit the Leeds Baby Bank website and donate here today with as little as £5 and check out their fundraising page for ideas on how to get involved!
Pictured above is Will Munton (left), Leeds Baby Bank Charity Manager and Natteleigh Sydney-Smith (right), CSP Marketing Manager.