Pride of Britain Fund hands money out to Bristol baby bank (2025)

It provides baby essentials to families

Good causes across the UK are celebrating after the Pride of Britain Fund announced the winners of grants totalling more than £100,000.

The money will be given to local community groups and individuals around the UK to mark the 25th year since The Pride of Britain Awards were founded by the Mirror.

The Fund shortlisted from almost 2,000 applications, and local communities then voted to decide which projects in their area were most deserving of funding.

One of the winners from Bristol is the Baby Bank Network Bristol which will receive £1,000 to support its work to provide baby essentials to families. The group’s Becky Gilbert told us a little about what the funding would enable them to do.

Tell us a bit about your organisation/project and the work you do

"Baby Bank Network Bristol provides pre-loved baby essentials (from cots and pushchairs, to clothes, toys and books) to families who are struggling to provide for their babies and young children (aged 0-5 years).

"Our vision is that no young child in Bristol goes without the basics that they need to be safe and to thrive. We work with Bristol communities to ensure that babies and young children have access to essential items to relieve poverty and its impact on young children, while encouraging reuse and reducing waste.

"Families who are experiencing poverty or other crises are referred to us by our network of professional “referral partners” from across the city who are already engaged with and supporting them. Essential items are donated by local families in our community, checked and packed by our team of volunteers and delivered to the family by the referral partner. All items are provided for free.

"We currently help 30-40 families each week. From April 2023 - March 2024 we helped 1798 families and provided 6376 items of baby equipment. In June 2024, we supported our 10,000th family - nine years since we began.

"Our support leads to safer, happier home environments for these young children, it provides items which encourage better child development, and importantly that relieve stress for their parents and carers. "

How do you feel after hearing you're going to receive a Pride of Britain Fund grant?

“We are delighted to hear that we have been awarded £1,000 from the Pride of Britain Fund. As a charity reliant on the kindness of the public, this funding is vital. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who nominated us, and we are immensely proud that our work has been recognised by such a prestigious award.”

What will this money allow you to do?

“This vital funding will directly support Bristol families by providing essential items for their babies and young children. We will use it to purchase crucial toiletries, including nappies, wipes, children's toothbrushes and toothpaste, and essential maternity supplies such as maternity pads and nipple cream, ensuring postnatal mums and their newborns have the care they need.”

Michelle Linaker, Trustee of Pride of Britain Fund and Head of Studio Live at Reach, said: “The Pride of Britain Fund is empowering ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

“We gave the public the chance to nominate unsung heroes across the nation.

“Now, 65 projects have the backing to give people hope in their area and we are so proud to have made that happen in this landmark 25th year of the Pride of Britain.”

To help support ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities, people can donate to the Pride of Britain Fund here: https://www.prideofbritain.com/pride-of-britain-fund/