In a powerful display of community spirit and youth leadership, students from the Soroptimist International (SI) Richmond and Dales club Sharing Our Skills (SOS) programme have successfully completed a major donation drive to support Growbaby, a baby bank based in Darlington.
On Friday 8 May, SOS students Cara and Freya, supported by the president of SI Richmond and Dales club, hand-delivered a car full of essential baby supplies to the charity. This marked the culmination of weeks of dedicated fundraising and collection efforts.
The project was driven by Cara and Freya, who identified the growing need for infant essentials in the region. To gather the donations, the pair:
- Established collection points throughout Richmond School Sixth Form.
- Coordinated with peers and faculty to raise awareness of Growbaby’s mission.
- Partnered with local Soroptimists to bridge the gap between student activism and community service.
The resulting donation included a vast array of items, ranging from clothing and nappies to essential nursery equipment, all destined for families in Darlington facing financial hardship. Members of the Soroptimist club also contributed significantly to the haul, adding their own donations to the boxes filled by Sixth Form students.
The collaboration highlights the success of the Sharing Our Skills (SOS) initiative. SOS pairs experienced professional Soroptimists with female students for mentorship, life-skills training and career development support.
Babs Hunt, President of SI Richmond and Dales, praised the students’ initiative: “We are incredibly proud of Cara and Freya. Their dedication to the Growbaby project demonstrates exactly what the SOS program is about: empowering the next generation to take action for the benefit of others. Seeing a full car of donations today is a testament to their hard work and the generosity of the local community.”
Growbaby provides baby clothes and equipment to families in need, regardless of income, background, or faith. The items delivered will go directly to local parents, ensuring that every child in the community has access to the essentials they need to thrive.
Congratulations Cara and Freya – we are all very proud of your achievements!