A COMMUNITY baby bank in Carlisle has received a welcome donation from Natures Aid, ensuring babies in the area have access to the necessary vitamins and minerals to support their immune system and ongoing development.

Baby Basics, with a base on Charlotte Street, 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. It is also supported by the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

Families are exclusively referred to Baby Basics by professional health workers, meaning support is given to those who need it most, including but not limited to teenage mums, people seeking asylum and women fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking. Natures Aid has provided the project with a supply of mini drops vitamin D3, which the department of health recommends all children take.

Cat Ross, chief executive of Baby Basic, said: “As a volunteer-led organisation we fundamentally rely on the support of other brands and businesses, to ensure our at-need families have the sufficient products and tools they need to ensure their babies are given the best start in life.

"This donation from Natures Aid is not only extremely timely and greatly appreciated, but also provides our families with vital supplements that we’ve not been able to provide often enough.”

For any families in need of support that Baby Basics can provide, visit www.baby-basics.org.uk.