Kate: Why I burst into tears over virus families
THE Duchess of Cambridge said she has gone home and sobbed after hearing the stories of families coping during the pandemic.
Kate was recalling a visit to a Norfolk branch of Baby Basics, which supports vulnerable families. She said: “It can get very emotional. I remember a couple of the families I met from King’s Lynn and I went home and literally burst into tears, their stories were so moving.
“The struggles they have gone through, the bravery they have shown… in extraordinary circumstances. Helping their families through extraordinary times.”
She was talking yesterday during a visit to a Baby Basics in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, which provides essentials such as nappies, clothing and bedding to vulnerable families via so-called baby banks.
The banks are a crucial nationwide service, run by volunteers. But second-hand donations have had to be rejected due to coronavirus.
So Kate stepped in and spearheaded a new initiative which saw 19 major UK retailers and brands donate more than 10,000 new items to baby banks across the UK.
Amazing
Kate heard how the 10,000 items went to Baby Basics, Little Village and Aber-Necessities, who operate more than 40 baby banks from Hastings to Aberdeen.
The Duchess, in an elegant white dress by Suzannah, wore a pretty floral print mask, an apron and rubber gloves to help unpack the first donations, including clothes and toys.
Baby Basics UK, which started 10 years ago in Sheffield, has the help of couriers DHL to transfer the donations around the country.
Cat Ross, CEO of Baby Basics, told her: “Often in a world where there is a lot of judgment and stereotyping about being poor, that additional stress can be even more difficult for parents who are doing amazing things to keep their families going with such strength, such determination.”
“‘Yes,” said Kate, “One of the mums I met was a nurse. These are families who do fantastic jobs and even they are struggling. Research shows how vital things like this are for them – and that they are being recognised.”
She added: “It’s about finding new ways of still providing people with the support they so desperately need.”