A Preston baby bank is appealing for preloved cots for families in need.

Baby Branches, which was established in 2018, aims to reduce child poverty by collecting preloved baby items and redistributing them to families in need.

Lately the charity has been inundated with requests for cots.

A Baby Branches spokesperson said: “Thanks to our generous donors, we’ve been able to give out eight cots with new mattresses in the last few weeks, but we have another seven outstanding on our waiting list.

“One baby we know of is on a mattress on the floor because the family can’t afford a cot. Another is in a moses basket she’s far too big for.

“So we’re asking anyone who can help – if you have a cot you no longer need, or know someone who does, please consider donating it to us.”

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In addition to redistributing goods, Baby Branches supports families by offering a sense of community and engagement with other services that may be of use.

The spokesperson said: “We saw that austerity was hitting families hard. We heard more and more stories of babies and children being forced to go without. We didn’t think this was right so we decided to do something about it.

“Now we work alongside local organisations, such as health visitors, social workers, the Children and Family Wellbeing Service, children’s charities, and domestic violence centres to make sure donations go to where they are most needed.”

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Baby Branches can arrange collection of donations, or you can drop items off at Morrisons Riversway or Monkey Magic in Bamber Bridge. Visit the Baby Branches website or follow on Facebook for more information.

Can you help Baby Branches? What do you think of the work the charity does? Let us know in the comments below.