Baby Bankers

A charity helping families struggling to make ends meet after welcoming new babies has thanked “kind and generous” students, teachers and parents for donating nappies, milk and clothes.

Forest School in Oakhurst Gardens in Walthamstow presented Lloyd Park Children’s Charity with the gifts for its Baby Bank which assists new parents in the borough. Last year the charity helped 248 families and saw demand for its services increase by 70 per cent in the second half of the year.

Lauren, Varahe, Salwa and Aliya, all aged 16, led the donation drive as part of the school’s community action scheme. Lauren said: “The Baby Bank is a cause that has really touched the hearts of our school community. We are really delighted to help them.”

Ms Harriet Dyke, the school’s community action coordinator added: “Each term the students choose a local cause to support. In the past students have collected items for the Eat or Heat food bank in Walthamstow and winter clothing for the resettlement Shelter branches. They do a great job.”

Waltham Forest is ranked among the poorest 11 per cent of boroughs in the UK and the seventh most deprived in London. Baby Bank service manager Sarah Marsh said: “We are so grateful to the students and the Forest School Community – they have been so kind and generous.”

She added: “The families we meet really feel the impact of the stress they are experiencing and these donations will go some way to helping them enjoy what should be the most joyful time spent with their children.”