The Southport branch of the Labour Party responded to a call for funds earlier this year from Southport Baby Bank based at Southport Community Centre, Norwood Road.
In March 2021, the town’s volunteer led Baby Bank announced their aim of raising £10,000 to continue the work they had been doing for over eighteen months, before and during the pandemic.
Local activist and recent candidate for Cambridge Ward, Laura Lunn-Bates shared the appeal with members and a call for a wide range of donations to suit all pockets was made:
£5 would fund a toiletry bundle, £10 would buy nappies to last a week, £25 would clothe a child (including pyjamas), £30 would provide a Moses basket for a referred family and £50 would secure two weeks hire of the room at the centre when it reopens.
Laura said “I saw the fabulous work the baby bank had been doing during the pandemic from bundles for new mothers to helping feed school kids, stepping in where the government had failed. Baby banks should not need to exist, but whilst they do it is important to get all the support possible. I decided to approach the local Labour Party to raise money and before I knew it, we’d hit £800.00. This will make a huge difference and shows the power of solidarity.”
For some families, even a pencil and a notebook are luxury items whilst on zero hours contracts, furloughed or unable to find work in this climate of austerity.
The organisers regularly update their followers and supporters demonstrating where their donations are being used, ensuring everyone feels included and appreciated. The centre is due to re-open in June 2021, providing government guidelines indicate it is safe to do so.
The centre opened in October 2019 and provided a point for donations and referrals. This was unfortunately closed again in the March 2020 Lockdown. Undeterred, these mega mums, have continued to support families right the way through the pandemic organising food hampers to offset the free school meal denial from the Conservative government, and responded with learning packs to support those being home-schooled.