Charity that aids families has a surprise visitor – the Princess of Wales
THE Princess of Wales surprised volunteers when she visited a baby bank on her “doorstep” in Windsor.
Kate visited the Baby Bank, a local charity which has supported over 21,000 families across the region.
She praised the “brilliant” work of volunteers as she helped them to pack donations.
As well as providing essential items like nappies, school uniforms, and buggies for cashstrapped parents, the charity works with midwives and health workers to support mothers before and after giving birth.
The princess, who said she she had a “passion” for under-fives care, has visited several baby banks across the country in recent years. But she said it was “great” to visit one “on her doorstep” as she is “new to the area”.
William and Kate moved to nearby Windsor Castle in September last year when they became Prince and Princess of Wales following the Queen’s death.
She was greeted at the door by co-chief executives Rebecca Mistry and Lauren Hall, who took her for a tour of their office which was packed with donations.
Pausing at a mound of approximately 200 Buzz Lightyear toys, the princess said: “Gosh, there is a huge amount of stuff here.”
Upstairs, where volunteers were sorting through donations, she spoke with Jane Daly, 75, and Christine Gill.
Discussing her youngest son Louis’ fifth birthday on Sunday, the princess said: “He turned five yesterday but you still think he is this size. It only feels like yesterday, they do grow so quickly.”
Speaking afterwards, Ms Gill said: “She was saying she would like to come here with her children.
“She is so normal that I bet she wishes she could come back without all those (people) around her.”
The charity, set up in 2015 to help families in financial hardship, has seen a “year-on-year” increase in referrals. In the first three months of the year, they helped 300 more families compared to the same period last year, its founder Mrs Mistry said.
The princess praised its “vital” work, saying: “It is particularly tough times not only for midwifery and volunteering and organisations like this but for health visitors who are under huge amounts of pressure to deliver to families in growing need.”