It’s heartbreaking to hear about kids who don’t have clothes at Christmas, says Christine Lampard as she volunteers
YOUR Christmas tree may already have the pressies underneath it.
But there is still time to give something to a child in need.
HOW TO HELP: DONATE BABY GOODS, MONEY OR YOUR TIME
DONATE BABY GOODS: You can find the address of your local baby bank at littlevillagehq.org/uk-baby-banks. They appreciate new or like-new items. Each bank may have different needs, so it is best to check with them first.
BABY BANKS ACCEPT: Winter clothing, pyjamas, baby beds and bedding, pushchairs, slings and carriers in good working order, high chairs/feeding products, nappies and wipes, toys and books and toiletries.
BABY BANKS DO NOT ACCEPT: Used mattresses, used breast pumps, bottles, teats or toiletries, used car seats, single beds or larger, pregnancy or any maternity items, reusable nappies and wipes, baby foods and medicines.
DONATE YOUR TIME: See if there is one near you by going to littlevillagehq.org/uk-baby-banks.
DONATE MONEY: Scan the QR code, right, or visit www.savethechildren.org.uk/babybanks.
CALLING ALL BUSINESSES: If you would like to donate, email fabulous digital@thesun.co.uk.
The Sun’s Cosy At Christmas campaign has partnered with Save The Children UK, baby bank group Little Village and more than 200 baby banks across Britain to ask YOU to donate money and new and good-quality pre-loved warm clothing.
Kind-hearted readers have been giving cash and top-quality items in their droves.
The fundraising total has hit £99k thanks to generous donations from brands including supermarket retailer Lidl, insurance brand Aviva, clothing giant Next and pharmaceutical company GSK.
READ MORE ON THE CAMPAIGN
As a result of the appeal, more than 12,500 much-needed items from top brands including Ikea and Amazon have also been donated.
Loose Women presenter Christine Lampard, 44, has joined the final push to support the drive by volunteering at Little Village Brent, in Wembley, north-west London.
The mum-of-two is famous for her dazzling smile, and walking through the baby bank for the first time, her face lights up as she notices her daughter’s party dress hanging on a clothes rack.
‘Heartbreaking stories’
Christine has been donating clothes and toys since her first child Patricia, now five, was born.
She says: “It has filled my heart to see my random bits scattered around the shelves.”
The telly fave arrived in a Christmas cardigan, saying it was “Primark’s finest” and threw herself into helping out and chatting to volunteers about the need for baby banks.
Folding tiny jumpers on a table, she was aided by adorable little Charlotte Castro, four, whose mum Karla has been using the service regularly for over a year.
Christine, who is also mum to two-year-old Freddie, shares both children and two stepchildren with husband of eight years. football’s Frank Lampard, 45.
She told us: “The stories you hear are heartbreaking.
"I have a two-year-old and the idea of having to search for clothing just to keep them warm, makes you realise places like this are absolutely life-changing for families.
“We cannot fully understand the power of love that a place like this creates, it’s just really, really impressive.”
Little Village’s baby bank in Brent is a calm, relaxed space on a busy street, where parents are given a shopping experience with a warm cup of tea in their hands, while their contented children can play at their feet.
In the corner of the room a charming reading nook is filled with colourful books and lots of toys to keep little hands busy, while parents are given a bundle of essentials they can return for every three months.
The walls are adorned with tiny festive clothes, and cute teddies are arranged into the shape of a Christmas tree.
Christine says: “We are in a time where we have to do what we can to help others.
"Coming here and seeing the things I have donated has literally made my day, as they are going to hopefully find their forever home.”
Little Charlotte has taken a shine to Christine and has not left her side, asking for hugs and tickles.
Clocking the pastel pink necklace Charlotte is wearing, Christine breaks into a smile.
She laughs: “And seeing Charlotte in my daughter’s little plastic necklace — you couldn’t make that up.”
Little Village Brent, which has helped 1,187 families so far this year was set up two years ago and is managed by Renata Acioli who has seen it help people in dire need.
Renata, from Chiswick, west London, says: “Things are so tough for parents, Christmas is going to be hard.
"Heating the home for many families is just not possible.
"Parents and children are so cold, they tell me they are sleeping four to a bed.
“I have had more than one mum reveal she is reusing nappies, which leads to sores on a baby’s tender skin.
"But Little Village and other baby banks are a ray of light for these families.
“I saw one child, during the cold snap in the first week of December, with no coat on and trousers so small for him they were shorts.
"They got a bundle from us and it was a life-saver.”
Christine, moved by the stories of hardship, says her own upbringing made her see the importance of second-hand clothing.
She says: “We wore things that were handed down to us.
"My mum and dad were ordinary people who worked very, very hard and my mum could always make a little go a long way.
“She was a brilliant cook too, and we were blessed to never go hungry, but that’s not the case for so many people.”
As Christmas gets closer, Christine is looking forward to spending time with her brood.
‘Bring happiness’
She says: “My Christmas plans are that I just want to be at home, off work, so I’m with the children all the time and see them happy and excited. I don’t really want to leave the house.
“The children are very taken with Santa this year, and I’m happy that their Santa letter does not consist of loads of stuff.
"They’ve just asked for one thing each.”
Christine suddenly jumps up happily from her seat upon seeing more of her donations — a Jurassic Park playset and a toy kitchen tucked away in a corner, and she also notices a Chelsea teddy bear donated by her kids.
She says: “I absolutely encourage my own kids to think about charity.
"I always say: ‘You don’t play with that any more and it could bring another little boy or girl happiness’, so we talk about that all time. If any of us can help we have to.”
Sun readers have risen to the challenge and helped out in any way they can.
Copywriter Sarah Harding, 40, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, who has a three-year-old son, donated to Spark baby bank in Burntwood, Staffs.
She says: “The recent cold snap and constantly rising fuel bills really made me think about how horrible it must be for those who are worried about keeping their children warm this winter.
“I’ve had so many of our old baby blankets and clothes put to one side for ages, waiting for a good home where they might make a difference.
"The Cosy At Christmas campaign was the perfect place.”
Meanwhile, friends Natalie O’Leary, 40, from Sidcup, and Filiz Suleymanoglu, 39, visited MammaKind in Greenwich with winter items, such as coats, socks and blankets.
Filiz, a mum-of-three, said: “It breaks my heart that there are some families who rely on these banks to keep their little ones warm.
"I had so many things at home that my children have grown out of and I love that they are now going to a new home.”
Natalie, also a mum-of-three, added: “I like to have a sort-out of my kids’ clothes every few months.
"In the past I’ve given to charity shops, but I will always give a bag to our local bank now.
"It’s really tough for everyone at the moment, so it’s important that we share and help those in need.”
Ikea donated 250 Antilop highchairs worth £7,125 and its CEO Peter Jelkeby told us: “At IKEA, we care about creating a better life at home and hope that this donation goes some way to making a small difference to those most in need.”
Amazon has contributed 5,000 hygiene kits, which feature essentials such as shampoo and a toothbrush.
Eugenie Teasley, Head of Impact at Amazon, said: “With a third of children under five in the UK living in poverty, it’s vital that we come together to do all we can to help disrupt the detrimental impact of poverty on their lives.”
Meanwhile, David Schofield, Sustainability Director at Aviva, told us: “We firmly believe that by caring more about communities today, we can help them create a better future for tomorrow.
“The Sun’s Cosy At Christmas campaign is a fantastic example of this, and we are delighted to support this initiative.”
Seven other celebrities tell Sarah Barns how they have backed our campaign
KATE LAWLER
Presenter Kate has donated toys, clothes and baby essentials her 22-month-old daughter Noa no longer needs.
The 43-year-old dropped her items off at Little Village Camden, in North London, the local baby bank.
She told us: “I was more emotional than I thought I’d be packing up Noa’s cot and first years wardrobe.
"But walking into Little Village and seeing volunteers busily preparing donations for those in need left a lump in my throat.”
Kate urged everyone to support their local bank and said she will be back with more items as Noa grows up.
She added: “Big love to everyone who works at baby banks up and down the country.
"Donations make a difference. Families need them more than ever.”
CHARLOTTE HAWKINS
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte has been busy collecting festive knits from parents at her daughter’s school to donate to our appeal.
The newsreader, 48, who is mum to Ella Rose, eight, gave the jumpers to Stripey Stork, in Redhill, Surrey, her local baby bank.
Charlotte spent a morning preparing Christmas packages, including chocolates and books, for some of the 200 families the centre helps each month.
She was close to tears during the visit, and said: “For some children, this is the only present that they will get.
“Every time I filled up a Christmas bag of goodies, I was thinking about the family at the other end and really hoping this puts a smile on their face.”
She added: “Children should be carefree, loving their lives and feeling excited for Christmas.
"But the fact there are some children who aren’t is just heartbreaking.”
COURTNEY LAWES
England rugby player Courtney lent a hand at Baby Godiva in Coventry to support Cosy At Christmas.
The dad of four, who packed up baby essentials to be delivered to families in need in time for Christmas, said: “I know the struggles of bringing up children, even if you can provide well for them, let alone if you’re struggling for whatever reason.”
Baby Godiva runs out of the home of founder Belle Edgar-McCab, 44, and has helped 2,700 families since 2019.
Courtney helped Belle pack up festive bundles, which included nappies, wipes, shampoo and bubble bath, and were then delivered to families by volunteers.
Courtney, 34, said: “As a community we need to help each other.
"It only takes a very small amount from one individual to make a huge difference to three or four families.
“The people running baby banks and putting everything together are doing it out of the kindness of their own hearts, which is amazingly special.”
SUSANNA REID
Good Morning Britain anchor Susanna says the idea of kids going without basic essentials over the festive period hits her hard.
The journalist, 53, who has three sons, told us: “The thought of children not having any Christmas presents or warm clothes this winter breaks my heart.
"This is why I’m backing The Sun’s Cosy At Christmas appeal and urging everyone, where possible, to get involved – in whatever way they can.”
Susanna added: “A small token of kindness could make a huge difference to someone.”
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR
The Crying At The Discoteque singer has added to the calls to help children and families.
The 44-year-old star said: “My heart goes out to parents who are struggling to buy basics for their children this Christmas.
"That’s why I’m supporting The Sun’s appeal.”
Mum-of-five Sophie added: “No child should go without a winter coat, a pair of pyjamas or warm shoes.
"I urge you to back the campaign, if you can.”
STEPH MCGOVERN
Steph McGovern praised the work of Leeds Baby Bank and said it was an “honour” to meet volunteers during her visit.
The TV presenter, 41, dropped off some donations at her local baby bank, including warm clothing, toys and nappies, and sat down with staff for a cup of tea to hear about their work in the run-up to Christmas.
She told us: “The work Leeds Baby Bank does to look after the children in the community is off the scale.
"With very little they make a huge difference.”
Steph, who admits she found the visit emotional, has pledged to return with more items.
She added: “As the mam of a four-year-old girl, it was quite overwhelming to see how much care they take of the families most in need.
“People who have fled domestic violence or landed on tough times.
“The bank gets them back on their feet. It was an honour to meet them all.”
DAISY MAY COOPER
Comedy actress Daisy has praised the work of baby banks around the UK.
The This Country and Never Mind The Buzzcocks star, 37, said: “Want to give the perfect gift this Christmas?
“Make a donation to your local baby bank.
"They do fantastic work in local communities up and down the country and would massively appreciate the support.”
Daisy, who has two children, added: “Even a small donation like a pair of warm winter socks would really help those in need.”
