The Baby Bank and Kids Bank successful Christmas appeal provides over 500 gifts for families.

The Baby Bank and Kids Bank do an amazing job across Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Thurrock providing much needed products for families struggling during these difficult times.

As Christmas approaches, staff knew that there were many families across the area that would find it difficult to provide gifts for their children as this cost of living crisis impacts the community.

CEO of The Kids Bank Clare told the Havering Daily: “This is our second year running our Christmas star project. Last year we provided 120 children with gifts on Christmas morning. This year, we knew numbers would be higher due to the current financial crisis. However, we were still stunned to receive such a response from our referred families, local schools, domestic violence shelters and other charities and ended up with over 500 children requiring gifts.

“Because of the huge task at hand, we partnered with our sister organisation The Baby Bank HQ to ensure help was available for families in Havering, Barking and Dagenham as well as Thurrock.

“Over 500 stars were placed on Christmas trees in our Kideco Lakeside store and Marks Gate Community hub.”

The community soon joined in and people responded quickly, offering their help.

Clare continued: “Organisations such as Nxtgen and CM Production management took large amounts of stars and got their staff involved.

“We were contacted by Griffin residential group who offered all of their branches as drop off points and got clients and staff to take part.

“Tumble tots grays and Barney bears nursery arranged collections of gifts.

“Anglian Decor Ltd made a £600 donation, hammers for work and support provided us with 120 selection boxes.

“Most recently, we partnered with LEYFS who came down to our Marksgate hub, with staff of Clifford Chance law firm to help sort donations of Christmas gifts and warm clothing bundles for families in need within their nurseries. With them they also brought over £3000 worth of brand new clothing, nappies, food and hygiene items to restock our supply.

“We hit our target within 3 weeks! We received over 1000 gifts. These have now been provided to the children supported by this appeal.”

Clare finished: “Our combined teams have worked extremely hard ensuring the success of this appeal. In a time where everybody is feeling the pinch, everyone still came together to help others. It has been beautiful to witness”.

Joint CEO/Founder Kelly Rosevear added: “Thank you to each and every person who played part in our appeal. It was joint effort and without our wonderful community it would not be possible”.

To find out how to raise funds or how to support the charity by choosing them on Amazon Smile, please visit
https://www.thekidsbankhq.org/donations-and-funding