Kate Middleton: Duchess of Cambridge wears face mask at event for first time
Royal dons face covering during visit to baby bank in Sheffield
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Your support makes all the difference.The Duchess of Cambridge has been seen wearing a face mask in at a royal event for the first time, during a visit to a baby bank in South Yorkshire.
Kate Middleton recounted her “emotional” trip to Baby Basics in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, which provides essential items to vulnerable mothers during a visit to the National Gallery in London.
She wore a floral face mask during the tour of the baby bank and highlighted her efforts in spearheading a donation drive which prompted big-name stores such as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Tesco give more than 10,000 new items to baby banks throughout the UK.
Speaking about how she cried after returning home from the visit, Kate said: “I remembered a couple of the families I met from King’s Lynn and I went home and literally burst into tears, their stories were so moving.
“The struggles they have gone through, the bravery they have shown… in extraordinary circumstances. Helping their families through these extraordinary times.”
Baby banks found themselves under increasing pressure as demand for their services mounted during the coronavirus crisis and they were unable to accept second hand donations for fear the virus may spread through contaminated surfaces.
Having previously visited Baby Basics in West Norfolk, Kate encouraged donations from 19 brands and high street retailers to Baby Basics, Little Village and AberNecessities, who run baby banks across the country.
She helped unpack donations of clothes, toys and other necessities during her visit in Sheffield and spoke to parents about the invaluable support provided to them by the baby banks.
Cat Ross, CEO of Baby Basics, told Kate: “Often in a world where there is a lot of judgement and stereotyping about being poor, that additional stress can be even more difficult for parents who are doing amazing things to keep their families going with such strength, such determination.”
Ms Ross added there is a lot of “fear and worry” among people about what will happen when furlough periods come to an end and “what it means for families”.
“But one of the positives to come out of it is the strength of communities across the UK and people wanting to help, volunteering and wanting to provide for each other,” she said.
“Organisations like us want to harvest that and keep it going as much as possible.”
Kate said lockdown had been “wonderful” in regards to people who have been helping and contributing to “small volunteering acts”.
“That inter-generational support system has been amazing,” she said. “Knowing that you can make such a big difference to another family is wonderful.”
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