6 Ashley Bears off to their new homes. Bringing comfort to children who have witnessed and been subject to domestic violence and abuse

Well it’s been an eventful few weeks (in more ways than one!); we have provided (or are in the process of providing); school uniform – due to mental health & poverty; baby toys for a little one who only had a rattle and one book; a new heater for a family in poverty who can’t afford the full heating on; a cot for a family in poverty; baby milk and nappies for a family in poverty; 8 x weekly food shops for families who are struggling due to benefit changes, domestic violence or poverty; a pushchair, clothes and toys – gone to a family who have fled domestic violence with a bag of clothes and toys between them; 2 x single mattresses and 2 x beds for children who were sleeping on old bedding on the floor; a moses basket, bedding, toys and clothes for a family in poverty; a toddler bed and mattress, clothes, bedding and toys for a family due to poverty; a travel cot for a family living in temporary accommodation; girls clothes for a family who have suffered domestic violence; Primark vouchers and clothing to a family who have suffered domestic violence and fled with no clothes; a bed, mattress, 3 x new wardrobes, and 3 x Ashley Bears for a family who have suffered domestic violence,. 6 more Ashley Bears for new families going to the Refuge; 6 Ashley Bears going to a Social Working Team for current children who have gone through domestic violence or abuse. The Christmas present referrals are coming in thick and fast too. Thank you to everyone for your continued support, especially following the recent court case with our former Founder. We appreciate each and every one of you.

Toddler bed and mattress, bedding, clothes and toys – going to a family in poverty who have just been housed and had very little for their children

We have had an extremely busy two weeks – 7 single mattresses, 4 single beds, 3 sets of bunk beds – gone to families in poverty, or who have gone through domestic violence; a travel cot, stairgate, clothes and toys to a single parent in poverty; 6 x essentials boxes to families in poverty, suffering from mental health or have gone through domestic violence; childrens clothes, toys and toiletries for a refugee family with nothing; baby clothes, toys, pram, nappies, milk and childrens clothes for another refugee family with nothing; 2 x camera monitors for children in poverty with complex health needs; a laptop repair for a student who’s parent has alcohol dependency; a cooker, washing machine and fridge freezer for a mum who has been through domestic violence; baby clothing, childrens clothes, a food shop, and essentials box for a parent in poverty; a food shop for a parent who has been through domestic violence; a wardrobe and toy storage for a child who’s parent has mental health issues; 2 x birthday presents for children in poverty; and 2 x weekly food shops for families in poverty. We have also started to get the Christmas present referrals in – approximately 220 so far (These are children who would otherwise go without a gift this year). WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY TAKING DONATIONS OF ITEMS, AS WE NEED TO FREE UP SPACE READY FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT WE WILL CALL OUT FOR ITEMS ON OUR PAGE. Thank you to everyone who supports us – we are continually grateful.

We donated brand new books to Kingsleigh School for their library bus

We donated new luggage trollies to Social Services for children who are taken into care.  Many of them currently use bin liners.  Hopefully these will make the transition into their temporary home less of an ordeal.

During the last week of September and the first week of October, we have provided nappies, baby food, and wipes for a baby who’s parents are currently homeless; a baby monitor for a family living in a B&B; a stairgate for a family in poverty; a pram travel system for a family in poverty; an electric cooker for a single mum with mental health issues who was unable to purchase one in her new accommodation; a week’s food shop for a family in poverty; winter clothes for a young child who’s mother was struggling to provide; a microwave and cooking utentils, pots etc for a single mum living in one room who had no provision for warming food; 4 birthday presents for children in the refuge; 2 boxes of small luggage cases going to children who were being taken to temporary foster care, so they can take their treasured possessions with them; a pram for a mum in poverty who also has mental health issues; and a new cot & mattress for a baby who’s mother is struggling with anxiety and ongoing debt. We are starting to make space for Christmas, so will call out for items as and when we need them. Thank you to everyone for your continued support

Birthday presents going to a little girl who would otherwise have nothing to open on her special day

Bed, bedding, toys and baby monitor going to a family who’s child was sleeping on the floor due to poverty

Baby clothes, nappies, toys, winter coat, games and ladies clothes – going to two families currently in the human trafficking refuge