Clare is lifeline to those in crisis
SELFLESS Clare Monckton knows only too well how hard it can be bringing up children.
Clare, from Tithchfield Common, put her experiences bringing up four children to good use – by setting up the Baby Bundles Bank, which has helped thousands of parents going through times of need.
Clare runs the community group through Facebook, taking in donations of toys, baby items, clothes, nappies, formula and more, and redistributing it to people in crisis.
The 44-year-old set up the Facebook page seven years ago, and it has taken off with hundreds of people from across Fareham and Gosport getting involved.
Clare was diagnosed with a neurological condition called intracranial hypertension which meant she could not work, so she looked for other ways that she could use her time.
She said: ‘I couldn’t hold down a job as my health was so unpredictable. I was so depressed, I couldn’t see the way ahead. The baby bundles bank gave me something constructive to do. It fits in around my health as there are other volunteers that I can fall back on, and it gives me a focus.
‘When I had my twins 20 years ago I was in a desperate situation. I really struggled to get everything I needed.
‘I thought that there needed to be something to help people in that situation so I set up the baby bundles bank and it has grown from there.
‘And this year has been our busiest yet.’
Clare said she was honoured to be nominated as one of The News's New Year heroes, and she thanked the support of everyone in the community for making it a success.
She said: ‘I know the struggles, it was really hard, I am not embarrassed to say it, I hope that by doing this I can help other people in those difficult situations, whether that’s financial hardship, metal health problems. living in hostels, asylum seekers, whatever.
‘Everything we do is of a high quality – and it’s all done with so much love. All our bundles are put together with so many items from all across the community, so much love goes into them.’