On Tuesday 17th June, the Rotary Club of Ely proudly presented a cheque for £1400 to Ely Baby Bank, a free local community project supporting families with babies up to 18 months old.
The donation was made as part of the outgoing club president’s chosen charity initiative, following a talk earlier in the year where Baby Bank representatives shared the important work being done locally. The Baby Bank is one of around 200 similar groups across the UK, run entirely without Government funding.
About Ely Baby Bank
Ely Baby Bank offers essential baby items to anyone who needs them — no referral required. The project supports visitors from Ely and beyond, with some travelling from as far as Suffolk and Norwich. Their work has grown significantly, from helping 300 visitors in 2020 to an expected 5,000 in 2024.
A team of 35 active volunteers of all ages help sort donations, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for families. Items available include:
- Baby clothes (up to 18 months)
- Cots, bedding and highchairs
- Toys, books, baby baths
- Limited supplies of buggies, formula milk and nappies
Only high-quality items from smoke-free homes are accepted, and anything unsuitable is recycled to help fund the project.
A Warm Welcome with Coffee and Cake
The Baby Bank is open to browse Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 1pm, offering a safe, friendly space with free coffee and cake for visitors. Donations can be dropped off Monday to Saturday, and there’s plenty of parking available.
The team are also fundraising to create a new café space within the Bank to extend their community support even further. Supporters are encouraged to use easyfundraising.org.uk when shopping online, choosing Ely Baby Bank as their nominated cause to help raise funds at no extra cost.
A Shared Commitment to Community
“We’re proud to support such an important and well-run project right here in our local area,” said the Rotary Club of Ely. “It’s clear that the Baby Bank makes a huge difference to so many families — and we’re glad to play a small part in helping it continue to grow.”
If you would like to get involved with Rotary and support more local causes like this, new members are always welcome. To learn more, contact:
📧 info@rotaryclubofely.co.uk
📱 Facebook: Rotary Club of Ely
For more on Ely Baby Bank, visit: www.elybabybank.com
