Meet the mum who runs a baby bank for struggling Cheshire families

Nika Golden provides essential items for any pregnant women facing difficulties in Northwich, Winsford and Knutsford.

The mum-of-three launched Northwich Baby Bank two years ago and has been overwhelmed by the generosity from local residents.

The 29-year-old receives emergency requests from health professionals and appeals to the public for help.

"I am absolutely speechless with the amount of donations we receive from very kind members of the community," said Nika, from Weaverham, who gave birth to her third child, Silas two months ago.

"I am a single mum. I have been up the creek without a paddle so I know how it feels to go to a foodbank.

"I just want to do all I can to help these women. Nobody should go without."

Nika liaises with health visitors, social workers, midwives, schools and family intervention workers.

As soon as she receives a request for help, she springs into action.

Nika said: "I was asked to help a young girl today and was able to put together 10 bags with everything she could possibly need - toiletries for her and the baby, nappies, a play mat, bouncy chair, toys, bottles, blankets, a steriliser and much more.

A gift box given to a pregnant mum, thanks to donations from the local community

A gift box given to a pregnant mum, thanks to donations from the local community

"I put an emergency appeal on Facebook of what we need and in a couple of hours I receive amazing donations."

The charity is linked to My Cheshire Without Abuse and provides a confidential service.

Nika and a committee of five women run the baby bank.

"We are here to help any pregnant women," said Nika, who has a daughter Steve-Jade, nine, and son Saul, six. "All I want to do is take the stress from a mum and her family, that makes me feel much better.

"It fills me with more joy than anything else if I can take away the worry and burden they face."

Emergency appeals are made to provide pregnant mums with essential items

Emergency appeals are made to provide pregnant mums with essential items

The charity has been offered a free stall on Northwich Market by Cheshire West and Chester Council, when it reopens after lockdown.

"I hope to make this into a hub for the charity," said Nika. "It will become our new base, a place where people can donate items and a safe place for health professionals to come and collect them.

"I also plan to work with various agencies to offer advice and information."

Niki is now appealing for financial donations.

"There are some things we can't give out second hand, such as cots, mattresses, car seats, bottles and electrical goods," she said. "We are hoping to raise money so we will be able to buy these items."

To donate email northwichbabybank@gmail.com

To help with any emergency appeals visit Northwich Baby Bank on Facebook.

Nika has no storage facilities so she has set up Northwich Baby Bank Gifting Group on Facebook for anyone who has baby items they no longer need.