A COMMUNITY group has opened a ‘baby bank’ to provide equipment and clothes for young children to parents experiencing financial difficulties.

Chesham Fold Tenant and Residents Association (TRA) can provide parents in poverty with equipment including cots, pushchairs, toys and baby baths as well as disposable items such as nappies and baby shampoo.

Clothes are also available for children up to the age of five.

Items are provided on a referral basis, with partnerships having been set up with local midwives and health workers in contact with new parents living in East Bury.

Cath Rowley, who volunteers for the TRA, said, “Being a new parent brings a lot of joy, but for those who have found themselves facing poverty it can be very challenging.

“We decided to open the baby bank as we don’t think anyone should be in a situation where they can’t provide their infant with the essentials.”

Chesham Fold TRA run a range of other services to support their community, including a weekly youth club for children aged 5 to 16, a foodbank and the environmental action group “Friends of Gypsy Brook”.

For information on how to donate, visit www.facebook.com/cheshamfold.