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'close to my heart'
I’ve visited a baby bank & know people’s struggles first-hand, says Leona Lewis as she supports Fabulous’ campaign
LEONA LEWIS today backs Fabulous campaign Baby, Bank On Us – urging any Sun readers who can volunteer to “just do it”.
Singer Leona, 38, was “incredibly moved” as she met struggling mums and tots at the Hackney Family Centre in East London, where she grew up.
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The former X Factor winner — who became a mum to daughter Carmel Allegra in August, her first child with choreographer husband Dennis Jauch — visited the volunteer-led hub, one of Britain’s 200 baby banks which provide essentials such as nappies, toys and clothes from newborns to kids up to five.
Leona joins a host of celebrities and royals backing our campaign, including Kate Middleton.
She said: “I’m so happy to be part of this. It’s a crucial time because the cost of living is insane — everything is going up, but people are earning the same so it’s getting harder to survive.
“We need to get the message out there that this is a resource for parents and they can access help.”
READ MORE ON Leona Lewis
Leona told staff how she was “one of the lucky ones” growing up, but the community would always rally around those less fortunate — something she is now passionate about encouraging others to do.
She said: “I saw the struggle. There were people around us, and some members of my family, that we had to help and support — helping with money, buying a washing machine, just supporting each other.”
While she mainly now lives in LA, Leona says east London will always be “close to my heart” as she was raised by her dad Joe, who worked with youth offenders, and by her social worker mum Maria on a housing estate close to the Hackney Family Centre.
She added: “I’ve seen it, I’m around it, I’m not just someone who’s coming in from afar. My parents were always, ‘What can we do to help?’
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"Dad [who helps out twice a week at a food bank] comes home and says, ‘We need more hands’, and if you can be reliable and consistent that’s so helpful especially if it’s from within the local area.
"So I would say to anyone that can volunteer their time, then just do it.”
Baby, Bank On Us — launched by Fabulous last month in partnership with Save The Children, Little Village and UK baby banks — urges readers to give cash, supplies and their time.
The campaign has since been backed by the Princess of Wales, who said she is “very proud” to support it, as well as by Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England.
Singers Peter Andre and Aston Merrygold, Virgin Radio breakfast host Chris Evans, former Strictly dancers James Jordan and Janette Manrara, Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter and Love Island star Laura Anderson are all on board, too.
Dad-of-four Peter, 50, told us: “I’m saddened to hear that there’s parents out there struggling to buy basics for their kids because of the cost-of-living crisis.
"I urge anyone who can to get involved with Fabulous’s campaign. It’ll make a huge difference, anything you can give.”
New mum Jorgie, 35, who gave birth to son Forest last November, has donated some clothes he has outgrown.
She said: “Forest is growing so quickly and there’s stuff we just don’t need any more.
"Some of his clothes even look brand new still, and I wanted them to go to a family who needs them.
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How YOU can support Fabulous' Baby, Bank On Us campaign
- Give money by donating or by scanning the QR code.
- Give clothing, toys and essentials to a baby bank, wherever you are in the UK.
- Give your time volunteering.
To find your nearest baby bank, visit .
“That’s why I’m supporting the Fabulous Baby, Bank On Us campaign with a donation to my local baby bank.
“It’s such a difficult time for many families right now, especially those with young children.
“Childcare costs are at an all-time high and you really don’t know what a huge difference your unwanted things could make to a family in need.
“If you find yourself with items you no longer need then find your local baby bank and donate if you can.”
JLS star and dad-of-two Aston, 35, who is married to dancer Sarah Richards, says: “Sarah and I are proud to support Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign with a donation to our local bank.
"We hope these items will help a family in need and bring them joy during a difficult time.
“We urge everyone who can to donate because it could really make a huge difference.”
Moses basket
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Meanwhile Leona adds that becoming a mother has “opened up a new level of empathy, love and compassion” in her, and she became emotional as she heard how the support centre had helped new mum Camilla, 22, and her eight-year-old son Taylor.
She said: “Camilla told me she received a package from them and literally cried, as she didn’t know where she was going to get this stuff from.
"She got a Moses basket, a little rocker, but also things you don’t even realise you need like breast pads and feminine products. I could see how much it meant to her.”
Camilla told Fabulous: "The baby bank is a lifeline for families who are going through a hard time. It is an incredibly warm and inviting place to visit and, for many, it is the heart of the community."
Little Village chief Sophie Livingstone said: “Leona has seen first-hand the incredible work baby banks do and what a lifeline they are for struggling families in local communities.
“But they need volunteers and donations to keep running.
"To Sun readers, I would say contribute to the campaign in any small way you can. If we all chip in it will make a huge difference.”
- The Hackney Family Centre is a partnership between The Guinness Partnership, Fusion 21, Little Village, Sal’s Shoes and Boiler House Spaces. *Names have been changed
Pampers
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NICOLE HALLAK, brand director for nappies firm Pampers UK, says: “Pampers has a long history of working together with our charity partners to ensure no baby goes without essential baby care products.
“And right now it’s more important than ever to help get nappies and other vital products into the hands of those who need them most.
“That’s why we are proud to support The Sun’s Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us appeal.
“For over 60 years Pampers’ pledge has always been to support all babies, and those who care for them, to help make their world better.
“And through the nationwide donation of our high-quality, locally made products that parents love and trust, we are fulfilling our promise to build a better world for babies of today and tomorrow.”
Bramley
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SKIN and hair wash company Bramley donated 200 bottles of Little B Hair and Body Wash.
Brand founder Chloe Luxton says: “We are delighted to be able to donate some Little B products for Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign, in partnership with Save the Children.
“We know that so many families will benefit from this campaign and it will take a little strain off those struggling with the current cost-of- living crisis.”
The Cheeky Panda
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SUSTAINABLE toilet tissue brand The Cheeky Panda has donated generously to the campaign.
Julie Chen is CEO of the firm which has donated 1,056 packs of bamboo baby wipes, worth more than £3,100.
She says: “We at The Cheeky Panda are proud to support the Fabulous Baby, Bank On Us campaign, in partnership with Save The Children, with donations of our sustainable bamboo baby wipes.
“As a mum myself, to my little boy, it’s heartbreaking that 27 per cent of mums in your survey are rationing nappies and baby wipes.
“It means a lot to us to support the vital work that the baby banks are doing in communities around the UK.”
Tesco
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SUPERMARKET Tesco is also backing Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign.
Jason Tarry, UK and ROI CEO of the retailer, commented: “We know that right now some families are really struggling to afford even the basic items they need for their children.
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and baby banks are playing a vital role in helping families who desperately need help.
“I hope that our support for Fabulous’ Baby, Bank on Us campaign will help Save the Children continue their amazing work and provide the support and essential items they need for communities.”
The Entertainer
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THE Entertainer, the UK’s largest independent toy retailer, is delighted to be helping out.
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Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman of the company, added: “We are proud to be supporting the Fabulous Baby, Bank On Us campaign, which will positively impact the lives of so many families in need.
“With the cost-of-living crisis impacting millions of families across the UK, the campaign in partnership with Save The Children, will ensure communities who are struggling, receive the support they need and we would encourage those who can, to get involved.”
What are baby banks?
Baby banks provide essential items for babies and young children whose parents are living in poverty – including nappies, wipes, clothing, bedding, Moses baskets, cots, blankets, toys and books.
There are over 200 baby banks in the UK, and they run out of shops, community centres, warehouse units and even people’s living rooms and garages.
Last year 4.2 million children in the UK were living in poverty and 800,000 children lived in a household that used a food or baby bank.
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BABY BANK LOCATIONS
BELOW is a selection of baby banks by region. See the web address at the end of the page to find contact details for all the country’s baby banks
- North West
Baby Basics Bolton & Bury, West Lancashire
Baby Basics Carlisle, Cumbria
Baby Basics South Lakes, Cumbria
Baby Basics, Cleator Moor, West Cumbria
Trafford Little Bundles, Lancashire
TippyToes BabyBank Preston, Lancashire
Salford Baby Bank, Lancashire
Snowdrop Doula CIC Burnley, Lancashire
Cascade Baby Bundles, Audenshaw, Cheshire
The Baby Room at Spinners, Leigh, Lancashire
The Healthy Gems Baby Bank, Oldham, Lancashire
NCT Mid Cheshire
NCT Preston Baby Bundles, Lancashire
KidsBank Chester, Cheshire
Motherwell Pass It On Baby Bank, Winsford, Cheshire
Hyndburn Baby Bank, Accrington, Lancashire
- North East
Growbaby Newcastle, Tyne & Wear
Love, Amelia, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Birth Bath and Beyond, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Clothe and Feed South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Clothe and Feed Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Rosie's Corner, Hexham, Northumberland
Stockton Baby Bank, County Durham
Darlington Baby Bank, County Durham
Baby Basics Darlington
Growbaby Hull, Yorkshire
Little Acorns Baby Bank Durham, County Durham
Hartlepool Baby Bank, County Durham
- North
Growbaby Teeside, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Baby Basics Leeds, West Yorkshire
Baby Basics Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Leeds Baby Bank, West Yorkshire
Baby Basics Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Birth Bath and Beyond Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Bradford Baby Bank, West Yorkshire
POPI Baby Bank Keighley, West Yorkshire
Rainbow Baby Bank Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire
Stepping Stones Baby Bank Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Calderdale Lighthouse, West Yorkshire
Tiny Hands Baby Bank Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Growbaby York, North Yorkshire
- South West
Ashley's Birthday Bank, Christchurch, Dorset
Baby Bank Network Bristol
Baby Basics Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Baby Basics Cornwall
Baby Basics Plymouth
Brighter Bristol Storehouse, Bristol
Baby Basics South, Ilminster, Somerset
Growbaby Tiverton, Devon
Children's Storehouse Plymouth, Devon
Uplift Tiverton, Devon
Exeter Baby Bank Network, Devon
Little Lighthouse Baby Bank Wythenshawe, Manchester
Baby Bundles Wiltshire
The Nest Project, Bath, Somerset
Gloucestershire Bundles, Gloucester
Open Door Exmouth, Devon
Forest of Dean Baby Bank, Gloucestershire
Small Stuff Baby Bank, Radstock, Somerset
Stroud District Kid's Stuff, Gloucestershire
Teignmouth Baby Bank, Devon
Ten Little Toes Baby Bank, Cowfold, West Sussex
Growbaby Swindon, Wiltshire
- South East
Baby Bank & Beyond (South Wealden) CIC (Hellingly), East Sussex
Sebby's Corner Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Stevenage Babyshed, Hertfordshire
Baby Basics Billericay, Essex
Growbaby Whitstable, Kent
Growbaby Aylesbury, Bucks
Baby Basics Bromley, Kent
Best Start Baby Bank, Eastbourne, Sussex
Basildon Borough Baby Bank, Essex
Growbaby Maidstone, Kent
Growbaby Rayleigh, Essex
Baby Basics Chelmsford, Essex
Growbaby St Albans, Herts
Growbaby Hemel Hempstead, Herts
Precious Bundles Colchester, Essex
Fighting Chance Baby Bank, Petworth, West Sussex
Baby2Baby, East Sussex
Baby Basics Brighton
Baby Basics Dover & Deal, Kent
Baby Basics Englefield Green, Surrey
Baby Basics Folkestone, Kent
Baby Basics Willvern, Essex
First Days Reading, Berkshire
Baby Basics Hastings and Rother, East Sussex
Baby Basics, Grays, Kent
Baby Basics Shoreham, West Sussex
NCT Winchester Baby Bundles, Hampshire
NCT Woking Baby Bundles, Surrey
Pelican Parcels Brighton and Hove, Sussex
Baby Stuff Braintree, Essex
Tots 2 Teens Colchester baby bank, Essex
Stripey Stork, Reigate, Surrey
Sunshine Baby Bank Southend, Essex
The Baby Bank HQ Havering, Essex
The Baby Bank HQ Thurrock, Essex
Community Wardrobe Chelmsford, Essex
The Baby Bank Windsor, Berkshire
Growbaby Storehouse Ashford, Kent
Moses Basket Brentwood, Essex,
Growbaby Chelmsford, Essex
NCT Little Bundles Baby Bank Chichester & Arun, West Sussex
NCT Baby Bundles Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, Kent
Mama to Mama, Margate, Kent
Home-Start West Berkshire Baby Bank, Newbury, Berkshire
Growbaby, Wokingham, Berkshire
The Baby Bank HQ Barking, Dagenham and Redbridge, Essex
- South
Baby Basics Portsmouth, Hampshire
Baby Basics Guildford
Baby Branch Southampton, Hampshire
Baby Necessities Southampton, Hampshire
Portsmouth Baby Bank, Hampshire
- Channel Islands
Baby Basics Jersey
- London
214 SPACE Baby Bank Hub Brent
214 SPACE Baby Bank Hub Hammersmith & Fulham
214 SPACE Baby Bank Hub Kensington & Chelsea
Growbaby Lighthouse, Sutton, Greater London
Growbaby, Newham
Growbaby, Merton
Bromley Brighter Beginnings
Growbaby Purley
Baby Basics, Barnet
Cariad Baby Bank, Harrow
Growbaby Kingston upon Thames
Choices Boutique Islington
Cornerstone Baby Bank Leyton
Growbaby Wandsworth
Baby Basics Sunbury
Growbaby Enfield
Ealing Salvation Army Baby Bank
The Small Project South London
Tiny Toes, Tiny Feet, Northwood
Camberwell Baby Bank
Orchard Baby Bank, Woodford
Peabody Toddlers Clothes Bank, Ilford
Pram Depot Wood Green
Little Village (London-wide)
Mammakind Baby Bank, Greenwich
MerryGoRound Islington
Growbaby Hoxton
NCT Redbridge Baby Bundles
Hackney Children & Baby Bank
Ilford Salvation Army Baby Bank
Mama2Mama Woolwich
Lloyd Park Children's Charity Baby Bank Walthamstow
The Extra Mile, Hampton, Richmond Upon Thames.
- Midlands
Brierley Hill Baby Bank, Dudley, West Mids
Baskets of Joy Leicester
Growbaby Leicester
Alice Charity, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire
Growbaby Northampton
The Arches, Nottingham
High Peak Baby Bank, Buxton, Derbyshire
Growbaby, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Growbaby Bedworth, Warwickshire
Bicester Baby Bank, Oxfordshire
Elayos Baby Bank Birmingham
Baby Basics Wolverhampton
Growbaby Birmingham St Michaels Church
Baby Aid Birmingham
Baby Basics Warwick
Baby Godiva Coventry
Growkids Coventry
Baby Basics Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Baby Basics Long Eaton, Notts
Baby Basics Leicester
Baby Basics Northampton
Baby Basics Hinckley, Leicestershire
Growbaby Birmingham Vineyard City Centre Site
Tots in Need Walsall, West Mids
Spark Baby & Children's Bank Staffordshire
Staffordshire Baby Bank, Stafford, Staffs
Telford and Wrekin Baby and Toddler bank, Shropshire
Clothe and Feed Wallsend, Herefordshire
Little Stars Shropshire
Karis Baby Bank Central Birmingham
NCT Malvern Hills Baby Bundles, Worcs
Little Cherub's Baby Bank High Peak, Derbyshire
Growbaby Worcester
- Wales
Baby Basics Dryffryn Clwyd Denbigh
Baby Basics Vale of Glamorgan
Baby Basics Newtown
Baby Basics Swansea
Baby Basics Port Talbot
Baby Basics Wrexham
Cwtch Baby Bank Cardiff
Baby Basics Penrhiwceiber
Cariad a Cwtch Baby Bank Llandrindod Wells
Growbaby Cardiff
Pembrokeshire Baby Bank
Splice Baby Bank Bridgend
Bundles Baby Clothing and Birth Support, Newport
Bethel Baby Bank Port Talbot
NCT Cardiff Baby Bundles
Ely Baby Bank
Feed Newport Baby Bank
- Scotland
Bairn Necessities, Glasgow
AberNecessities, Aberdeen
Growbaby Fife
Baby Bank Scotland, Hamilton
Bairnecessities Aberdeenshire
Bear Necessities Airdrie
Togs for Tots Dundee
Glasgow Baby Food Bank
GRA Baby Bank Aberdeenshire
Nelly Boxes East Renfrewshire Baby Bank
No 1 Glasgow Baby & Family Support Service
Tiny Treasures Baby Bank Oban
Button and Bows Baby Bank Perth
Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Care
Misty Glen Baby Bank Fort William
Dingwall Primary Baby Bank
Moray Baby Bank
Monklands Baby and Family Clothing Aid
- East
Abi's Footprints, Sudbury, Suffolk
Baby Bank Norfolk
Baby Basics Lowestoft, Suffolk
Baby Basics West Norfolk
West Marsh Baby Bank, Lincolnshire
Suffolk Baby Bank, Bury Saint Edmunds
Baby's Basket, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Growbaby Thetford, Norfolk
Growkids Norwich, Norfolk
Fenland Family and Baby Bank, Cambridgeshire
GrowKids Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Little Family Baby Bank, Sutton On Sea, Lincolnshire
Little Treasures Baby Bank, Horncastle, East Lincolnshire
Little Bundles, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- Northern Ireland
Baby Basics Antrim & Newtonabbey
Baby Basics Ballymena
Baby Basics Belfast
Bump2Baby NI (Mid-Ulster Baby Bank)
Baby Basics Banbridge
Baby Basics Causeway
Baby Basics Magherafelt
Baby Basics Mullavilly
Growbaby Enniskillen
Carrickfergus Baby Bank
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