The Duchess launched a new initiative today, after persuading nineteen UK retailers to donate more than 10,000 items to a group of baby charities.
Kate helped unpack and organize some of the donations at Baby Basics in Sheffield where donations were dropped off. Baby Basics is “a volunteer-led project aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby.”
The idea for the initiative came following several private visits Kate made to that West Norfolk location, more via The Evening Standard’s story.
Kate told how she broke down and wept when she got home after visiting a baby bank helping vulnerable families at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.
The duchess recalled: “It can get very emotional. I remember a couple of the families I met from King’s Lynn and I went home and literally burst into tears, their stories were so moving.
You’ll recognize many of the brands and retailers Kate persuaded to contribute to the effort: John Lewis, Trotters, The White Company, and JoJo Maman Bébé are among those donating. Below, the Duchess with mothers who received help from Baby Basics and the organization’s CEO.
The Duchess spoke with families using the South Yorkshire baby bank and heard about their experiences with the service. Here you see her chatting with Ali Wartty and Sahara Hamawandy, and their one-year-old triplets.
For the full list, click here to read the Baby Basics writeup on the initiative and today’s visit. Here is a quick video about the endeavor from Kensington Palace.
The Duchess spoke with families using the South Yorkshire baby bank and heard about their experiences with the service. Here you see her chatting with Ali Wartty and Sahara Hamawandy, and their one-year-old triplets.
The Duchess of Cambridge has brought together 19 British brands and retailers to donate over 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks across the UK. #SupportingBabyBanks pic.twitter.com/CanlIXMltC
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) August 4, 2020