The North Shields Baby Bank, based at St John’s Church Percy Main, in North Tyneside, has helped more than 400 families since its launch in March last year with items including nappies, wipes, clothing and baby formula.

The church is now appealing for help to replace its heating system, in order to keep the baby bank operating over the winter months.

Revd Lee Cleminson, Vicar of St John’s, said: “People are really, really struggling with energy prices, food prices and the cost of petrol and all sorts of other expenses. They are referred through different agencies and community projects to the baby bank but also there are people who knock on the vicarage door, because I live next door to the church.

“People are so generous with donations and with every item of clothes, we wash it, iron it and present it in a wonderful way. All parents who have accessed the baby bank have been overwhelmed by the generosity and good quality items and the quick response they have received.

"One particular baby bank user commented, with great appreciation, that the baby items that she had received, 'had left her with one less worry for the day'

“The heating system is absolutely essential to the administering of the baby bank, otherwise clothes and other supplies will get damp and volunteers will not be able to work here.”