Baby Bank Network is celebrating 2 years of helping babies in need with a Family Fun Day on Saturday 1st July 10am – 2pm.

All are welcome along to the event which will be held at Horfield Parish Church Hall just off Gloucester Road in Bristol.

Launched by local mums and 100% volunteer-run, Baby Bank Network has already helped almost 700 babies in the city. The charity collects pre-loved baby essentials and gives them to families in need – this includes victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, refugees and homeless people as well as low-income families.

In order to reach those babies, the charity works with referral partners such as health visitors, midwives, Shelter, Next Link and Home Start. It was just weeks after its launch two years ago that the group of volunteers had helped their first family and they’re now helping at least one family a day in Bristol with plans underway to double this effort.

Co-founder and Trustee Becky Gilbert said: “It’s been an incredible couple of years. When we started collecting a few bits in a donated storage unit, little did we know just how important our charity would become. We now have a warehouse in Fishponds and are helping hundreds of babies in need every year. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved and this party is not just about raising money but about celebrating with the volunteers and supporters who have made this all possible.”

Baby Bank Network currently helps babies under the age of one but has ambitions to extend this to all under 5s. Earlier this year, it supported the launch of its first partner organisation – Bairnecessities in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, but would like to be able to support baby bank launches in other areas of the UK.

Volunteer and Trustee Laura Williams said: “We’ve been so fortunate to receive a wealth of donations of baby items from families across Bristol but we also need funds to helps us deliver and grow our service, fundraising events like our birthday party are a big part of this. We invite families to come along, have a good time and help us raise some much needed money in the process.”

The Family Fun Day will be packed full of fun activities for children – here’s the full line-up:

* Storytelling
* Woodland crafts
* Craft activity
* Art activity
* Sing & Sign session
* Diddi Dance session
* Facepainting
* Bouncy castle
* Teddy bears’ picnic (please bring your own picnic)
* Outdoor games, including giant Connect 4
* Football skills
* Cake sale
* Fancy dress competition with a wildlife and nature theme!
* Baby Bank Network stall

Entry is via a suggested donation on door of £4 per adult, £2 per child (3-16 years) and under 2s go free. All activities are then free of charge so you’ll just need a few extra pounds for tea, coffee, cake and raffle tickets!

To find out more about Baby Bank Network please visit http://www.babybanknetwork.com/.