Tiny Treasures receives birthday gift from Aldi
A ‘baby bank’ has been gifted 14 crates of quality items from Aldi, Oban.
The Tiny Treasures Baby Bank helps provide vital supplies to families and mums with newborns and toddlers who can quickly outgrow what they need leading to mounting costs.
The local charity, which celebrates its first birthday this month, serves a large area from Oban to Campbeltown including Tarbert, Lochgilphead, Kilmelford, Kilmartin, Minard, Inveraray and Ardfern.
Established by two mums from Ardfern – Bonnie Stephen and Clair Smith – there are now more than 100 similar banks across the UK.
Bonnie, a mum-of-three who previously worked for children’s charities in Albania, praised the recent contribution from Aldi.
She said the need for items, including baby bottles, bedding for Moses’ baskets, nappies and baby washing powders, continues to be in high demand.
‘A massive thank you to Aldi Oban for its incredibly kind donation of baby items,’ said Bonnie.
‘Over the past couple of weeks, Tiny Treasures has started to receive referrals from midwives, social workers and health visitors from Oban to Campbeltown. 2020 was such a challenging year for so many people.
‘We are hearing more and more from families who have unexpectedly lost jobs, taken pay cuts, suffered ill health or had totally unexpected circumstances arise.’
In the last week alone, 12 packages have been dispatched.
Bonnie added: ‘As mums, we so often feel we have to keep everything going from one day to the next and keep it all together.
‘Please ask for help and reach out for support. We are here for you, as so many of you have been there for each other throughout the challenges of 2020.’
The charity takes referrals from organisations working in health and social care.
People can also self refer to receive an emergency support package of items tailored to their needs.
Long-established local independent company Mathesons Furnishings of Oban has provided a storage area for donated items with the emphasis on donations of a good standard.
For more information, visit www.tinytreasuresbabybank. co.uk