A DAD who has fallen on hard times has told how he once went without food for a week so he could provide the essentials for his 11-month-old son.
Daniel Baldwin, 22, who lives in temporary accommodation in Tooting, south London, with his partner Paige Crimp, 23, and their baby George, recently lost his job as a carer in a nursery. Paige is currently unable to work due to ill health.
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A social worker referred them to their local Little Village baby bank, which the couple say has been a “beacon of hope”.
Daniel told Fabulous, for our Baby, Bank On Us campaign in partnership with Save The Children and Little Village in support of UK baby banks: “Paige and George need to eat but I can go without.
“The longest I went without any food was a week. Once you get through the hunger pangs it was not too bad, I kept myself busy.”
Daniel says he was “nervous” about using a baby bank at first but has been overwhelmed by the support offered.
He added: “They made me feel very comfortable. I left with the buggy completely full.
Daniel and I went a good few days without eating to ensure George did.
Paige Crimp
“We were stretching George’s clothes out, wearing them past their ages. It’s not comfortable for him – and we went without food and clothes, it was horrible.”
How YOU can support Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign
– Give money by donating here or by scanning the QR code.
– Give clothing, toys and essentials to a baby bank, wherever you are in the UK.
– Give your time volunteering. To find your nearest baby bank, visit Littlevillagehq.org/uk-baby-banks.
Paige says volunteers at the centre helped them get back on their feet.
“George’s clothes are from here. We were referred to Little Village when he was six-months-old,” she says.
“We were not managing, at first we had help from family but that stopped. George had started growing out of clothes, baby clothes are so expensive.
“Daniel and I went a good few days without eating to ensure George did.”
She added: “Luckily the heating and electric was included in our bills. But the landlord did leave us without heating multiple times.
The longest I went without any food was a week. Once you get through the hunger pangs it was not too bad, I kept myself busy.
Daniel Baldwin
Revealing what it’s like to visit Little Village, Paige added: “It’s lovely, a kid in a sweet shop for George. We come every three months for whatever needed, as kids grow very quickly. It’s very colourful and very welcoming and no-one is miserable. It’s a happy place to bring him.”
The Baby, Bank On Us campaign is calling on the public to volunteer their time and donate items to their nearest baby bank. The initiative is also raising vital funds to support the work of baby banks around the UK.
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