A BABY bank is asking for donations and funds to help parents laid off from work cope financially.

The Hyndburn Baby Bank set up by Rishton’s Labour ward councillor Kate Walsh was originally set up in January to help expectant mothers with baby boxes of essentials.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, however, the baby bank started taking donations of food, clothing and toiletries for toddlers and children as families in Hyndburn struggle to look after their brood.

It is now part of the Hyndburn Hub umbrella and families can ask for help if they cannot afford food or clothing due to losing their jobs or being on maternity leave.

Councillor Walsh said: “I set it up in reaction to having my second child.

“I was off work and I wanted every family here to have at least all the essentials for when they have a baby.

“It was just baby boxes at first, but then we got lots of donations and changed it to a baby bank to support more people, especially now during this lockdown.”

The baby bank drop of 2-3 boxes a day of essentials to families in need.

Councillor Walsh said: “The people using the baby bank are those who would not usually dream of asking for help but have no choice if they have been made redundant or had their wages cut.

“The need is high at the moment and it is a sad thing that people are worried about how to feed their children.”

The mum of two also knows what it is like after losing her job when she had her first child.

She said: “I had a good support network, but I thought, what about those who don’t have that?

“So, I wanted to be able to help others who are in a difficult place.”

In between feeding, councillor Walsh helps run the baby bank over at St. Paul and Peter’s Church.

She said: “My baby will not take a bottle, so I have to feed and run on my busy days.

“We have an app for the baby bank, where I can see I have got donations, then a volunteer will respond and take the delivery.

“I could not do this without all the amazing volunteers helping out each day.”

Councillor Noordad Aziz also donated from his head shave funds of £1,000, which councillor Walsh says was a big help.

To donate visit their justgiving page.