A Greater Manchester baby bank is holding a vital fundraiser in hopes of preventing from it closing for goodimminently.
For anyone unaware, baby banks are crucial organisations run largely by volunteers who help provide vital supplies to families in local communities, with more than 300 in use across the UK at present.
Through delivering much-needed aid such as clothing, prams, nappies and baby food, right through to direct financial support, they help keep parents and their children in good supply of essentials and much more – hugely important work at any rate, let alone during the winter and a cost of living crisis.
However, the Little Green Sock Project over in Trafford is at risk of permanent closure if they don’t raise £200,000 come the New Year.
As seen in this moving video, the baby bank based over in Stretford Mall is in dire need of support and right now after being given until January to find new premises.
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Fundamentally operated as a non-profit and volunteer-led charity, they naturally don’t have the means to just take over a new space on their own and with the current site set to be demolished very soon, a minimum of £200k is needed to find and fund a new location.
Urging people to donate what they can and share their fundraiser where possible, as well as welcoming corporate sponsorships should other local businesses wish to back them or get stuck through volunteering days, time is of the essence.
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The Little Green Sock Project was only started back in 2022 and has already supported over 1,300 children, redistributing more than £240,000 worth of essential items like clothing, cots, prams, and stair gates to local families, as well as saving 20 tonnes of items from landfill.
It’s no exaggeration to say that they’ve changed and saved lives, both parents and children, and with the often difficult festive period approaching their work is needed now more than ever.
There are just under a dozen baby banks in all of Greater Manchester, many of which are facing similar pressures. (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking on their efforts and the fundraiser, founder Catherine D’Albertanson said: “We believe that essentials needed for the health and wellbeing of children should not only be for those that can afford them. Our work ensures that no child in our community goes without essentials, but without new premises, we will have no choice but to close.”
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Moreover, Little Green Sock Project is the only baby bank in the Trafford area and of the families it serves, 58% are single-parent households already struggling with the cost of raising children, while 29% are fleeing domestic abuse, often leaving their belongings behind to protect their family.
With their circular economy model, they also help reduce waste whilst providing “a trusted link between the families that have items to give, to those that need them the most”, with D’Albertanson adding, “If we lose this charity, we lose a vital safety net for many in our community.”
A service user commented: “It was a truly terrifying time when I was pregnant with my first child, I found myself completely alone, with a baby on the way, wondering how I could possibly provide for my son. Then I found Little Green Sock Project, and everything changed. Everything was carefully chosen, colour-coordinated, and presented in such a thoughtful way. It felt so special—like someone truly cared about me and my baby. That feeling is indescribable, especially for someone in my position.
“There are so many people like me with stories like this. It breaks my heart to think that Little Green Sock Project might have to close its doors. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without your help, and I hope with all my heart that the community comes together to keep this lifeline alive.”
Manchester parents need this much-loved baby bank – let’s not it fall away on our watch. (Credit: Andy Bate at Royal Foundation)
Every pound donated goes towards helping find the Little Green Sock Project a new home but people can help contribute in other ways, once again, by spreading the word or getting their hands dirty in person.
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Greater Manchester never fails to amaze when it rallies behind causes like this and we’re sure you won’t let us down this time either. Let’s keep the lights on the lifelines for local families intact.
You can donate now or to find out other ways to do your bit, click HERE.
Featured Images — Little Green Sock Project/Andy Bate – Royal Foundation (supplied)
News
Trams through city centre disrupted as Storm Eowyn hits Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The high winds brought by Storm Eowyn to the UK today have led to travel disruption in Manchester, with busy city centre trams out of action.
No Metrolink services are running through Deansgate-Castlefield, Cornbrook or St Peter’s Square at the time of writing, due to damage to an overhead line at Deansgate.
Many services are stopping outside the city centre, with the service changes expected to last into the evening.
The disruption comes as much of the UK is battered by extremely strong winds from Storm Eowyn, which has led to a rare red weather warning in Scotland.
Parts of Greater Manchester have also been placed under an amber weather alert for wind today, with the Met Office issuing do not travel warnings.
The Bee Network has today confirmed that overhead wires at Deansgate-Castlefield have been damaged in the storm, with engineers ‘working hard’ to fix the damage.
Ticket acceptance is in place on several bus routes.
Damage to overhead lines at Deansgate-Castlefield by Storm Eowyn. Credit: TfGM
But service disruptions are expected to continue into the evening.
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Interim Director for Metrolink, said: “We are doing everything we can to resolve this situation at Deansgate Castlefield but the conditions are making this very difficult and there is likely to be disruption for the rest of the day.
“I would encourage those travelling by tram today to check the information on our website, app and social media channels before setting off.”
Below are the routes trams are taking this evening – you can see the latest updates HERE.
Nearly 40 fans arrested after city centre clashes and Old Trafford chaos during Man United vs Rangers
Danny Jones
Dozens of fans were arrested following numerous clashes at Old Trafford and in central Manchester before, during and after Man United’s game against Rangers this week.
The Red Devils took on the Scottish side in a crucial Europa League fixture on Thursday night, with nearly 4,000 Glaswegians making the trip down to Manchester.
After reports of violence and disorder in the city centre a couple of hours before kick-off, there were also said to be issues regarding Rangers supporters trying to enter the ground with fake tickets as well as instances of ‘tragedy chanting’ regarding club disasters.
Worse still, further chaos was sparked after away fans infiltrated the home end, with security and actions from stewards being criticised around the stadium.
I can’t quite believe how many Rangers fans were in the home end at Old Trafford last night…
Saw Rangers fans drinking from glass bottles in the stand, smoking, later throwing bottles, fighting, one doing airplane arms. Had to help a dad shield his little girl to get her out safely. Kids terrified round us. So badly managed tonight. pic.twitter.com/7Sz59Jp8Iv
Sharing an update on Friday morning, Greater Manchester Police detailed that a 450-strong officer presence saw a total of 39 arrests made in connection with the fixture.
26 were detained for violent disorder after fighting broke out around Ancoats at approximately 6pm as the Rangers fans were being prepared for their escort towards Old Trafford.
Other arrests included drug offences, drunk and disorderly behaviour, tragedy chanting, as well as assaulting a steward inside the ground.
There were also continued problems regarding general safety, organisation and queuing around the turnstiles, which has been a recurring issue at the footballing arena of late, with many fans struggling to make it into the ground in time for kick-off.
Although the away fan presence was clearly an exacerbating factor, many United fans have once again called out the club for failing to address the issue which saw added congestion not only around the concourse but even in the stands in this instance.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, match commander for the game, said: “These high-profile fixtures are always exciting occasions, but they also naturally present challenges to ensure that the thousands of spectators can enjoy the game safely and to minimise disruption for the wider public.
“Last night, we did see some incidents before the game which required a prompt response from our officers to prevent any further disorder and harm. Arrests were made and further disorder was prevented.
“An operation like this takes weeks, if not months, of planning with both clubs and all our local partners. Generally, the crowds have been really well-behaved and the vast majority have had a safe and enjoyable time watching the game in Manchester.”
United went on to narrowly win the game in the 11th hour thanks to a stoppage-time goal from captain Bruno Fernandes to spare their blushes but with lots of tough results and unpopular decisions happening around the club, they’ll need more than a last-gasp 2-1 win over Rangers to improve the atmosphere.
Danny Jones -
4th December 2024 
