More than 100 parents in Oldham have been gifted warm clothing and other essential items as Family Hubs launched a successful winter drop-in.
Families received the warmest welcome during Oldham's Family Hub's second 'winter warm appeal' drop-in session, held in partnership with Our Community Wardrobe clothing bank.
Clothes and duvets were handed out to 113 parents at the Medlock Vale Family Hub and The Honeywell Centre in Hathershaw, and one mum was even given a replacement pram after hers broke on the way to the drop-in.
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It comes following the success of the first drop-in that helped 70 families at Spring Meadows Family Hub last month.
The aim is to help families who may be struggling to keep their children warm this winter - and to give them a good night's sleep.
Thanks to generous donations of new and preloved items, the second drop-in was bigger than the first, with clothing for teens and adults as well as toiletries gifted to dozens of families.
Keisha Crinion got clothes, coats and blankets for her three-year-old son James.
The mum said: “This has helped a lot.
"And I will be coming to the Family Hub again for the activities."
Adesuwa Enab, who collected a jacket and dresses for her eight-month-old baby, added: “It’s so beautiful.
"It’s nice of the community to do this for families.”
Dad, Abdulkareem Ambali, also said: “This is very surprising and fantastic.
"We haven’t been to the Family Hub before but now we want to come often.”
Another mum picked up some clothing for people she knows who are struggling, including some summer dresses for a friend's daughter so she doesn't have to worry next year.
Another mum who attended the event, Nike, said: “This is lovely.
"I have three children aged nine, six and 10 months and it’s from the heart when I say this is helping them.
“I’ve got jackets and hoodies for them to wear this winter.”
Since last summer, seven Family Hubs have opened across the borough as one-stop shops for families of children aged 0-19, and up to 25 for those with special education needs and disabilities.
Sally Maher started Our Community Wardrobe in 2022 with her friend, Janine Whillans, while holding a toy appeal at a school when a little boy declared that all he needed was a coat for Christmas.
Sally takes clothing rails into the Family Hubs and other kind-hearted donations all year round.
Families are referred by their child’s school or by the Hubs to pick out the items they need.
Sally said: “We’ve had so many more families through the doors than we imagined.
"I’ve had a good cry. We’re really pleased.”
Karen Bennett, district manager for the Family Hubs, said: “We’ve had an amazing turn-out and we’re really pleased to be able to contribute.
"What we’re really pleased about is that our families in Oldham have been given amazing warm clothes from other families.
"We really appreciate everybody’s donations.”
Councillor Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "It's heartening with this appeal to see how communities are rallying to help our families this winter, and our new Family Hubs are doing a fantastic job in bringing people together while providing a range of support and services under one roof.
“They are already making a big difference towards giving children the best possible start in life."
The next Winter Warm Appeal drop-in is now being planned for the Beever Family Hub.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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