How Your Vote for Stripey Stork can Help Families in Surrey and Croydon

Posted on 29 Jan 2025 by Emily Atkinson-Dalton
This February you can help Stripey Stork make a real difference to families experiencing the effects of poverty in Surrey and Croydon by voting for them in the Discount Promo Codes charity poll this.

Read on to find out more about what this amazing charity does and how you can cast your vote.

stripey stork logo

 

Who are Stripey Stork?


Stripey Stork is a Surrey based baby bank founded in 2013. Their mission is to support children and families experiencing hardship by redistributing donations of baby and children's items to those who need them most.

The organisation collaborates with health professionals, social workers, and other community partners to ensure that high-quality new and preloved items reach the families that need them. Stripey Stork prides itself on offering dignity and respect to those they help; the referral packages should feel like a gift and not a handout.

The charity was born out of a recognition of the growing need for practical support for families facing financial challenges. Founder Nicola Dawes was inspired to act after noticing the surplus of unused items in many households and the significant demand among struggling families. What started as a grassroots effort has since grown and in 2024 alone, they supported over 11,000 families.

Stripey Stork exists because too many children in Surrey and Croydon live in poverty, with their families often unable to afford essential items like clothing, toys, or baby equipment. The

families the charity support are all experiencing poverty, and many of them face hardship across a number of fronts. They may be affected by domestic abuse, living with mental and physical health challenges, facing insecure or overcrowded housing, fighting rising levels of debt, or seeking asylum with no access to public funds. They are working families, single parent families, teenagers leaving the care system, and young parents with no family support. There are families expecting their first baby, and families with several school-age children. What is common to all of them is the need for somewhere to turn for help when they need it most.

By repurposing items that might otherwise go to waste, Stripey Stork bridges a vital gap in support services, promoting sustainability and communities supporting each other.

 

What Services does Stripey Stork offer?


· Practical Support: Stripey Stork provides essential baby and children's items such as clothing, cots, prams and highchairs, ensuring families have access to safe, high-quality equipment and necessities for their children.

· School Uniform Support: The charity offers school uniform items all year round including shirts, trousers, skirts, dresses, PE kits, and shoes, helping children feel confident and prepared for school without placing financial strain on families.

· Additional Extras: Stripey Stork provides toiletries, nappies, toys, and books throughout the year, ensuring families have access to everyday essentials and resources for their children.

· Seasonal Support: The charity runs special initiatives for occasions like Christmas and Mother's Day, delivering festive presents and thoughtful gifts to make these moments extra special for families during challenging times.

What Impact has Stripey Stork had?

  • In 2024 Stripey Stork helped 11,424 families with the essential baby and children’s items they need, and a total of 18,318 children.

  • They have given out a total of 43,283 items this year, including 4,319 clothes packs, 386 newborn packs and 916 safe places to sleep.

  • As part of their School Days project, supporting children with school uniform and other school essentials, they have helped 6,381 children. This includes 1,895 filled school bags, 2,669 pairs of school shoes/trainers and 14,435 items of school uniform.

  • At Christmas 3,955 children received a Stripey Stork Christmas bundle or gift.


Behind every request for help is a family who is struggling. Stripey Stork are there to give a helping hand and relieve some of the pressures that families face.

“Thank you so much for making such a huge difference to so many families across Surrey. Without you so many of our families would not have gifts this Christmas” – Referral Partner

“I would like to say thank you for what you have give to my daughter, no one has ever helped me like this before and I am so very grateful for the items received.” - Mum

“Mum was completely overwhelmed and so, so grateful as this has gone a long way to helping ease her concerns” – Referral Partner

“Families are telling us they are only able to fund having the heating on for short periods of time. One mother and 18-month-old have mould in their rented accommodation and are having to sleep on a mattress on the floor in the living room as this is warmer and safer for the child. Thank you for providing them with a safe place to sleep.” – Referral Partner

 

How Can I Contact Stripey Stork?


Stripey Stork can provide support for children aged 0-18 years. To get support, please speak to someone who can refer your family and submit a request on your behalf to us. This can be any professional or organisation who you are in contact with such as a teacher, family centre, midwife, family support worker, food bank plus many others. Referrals can be made quickly and easily on their website, and they can usually respond within a few days. The person referring will collect the items and deliver them to you. More details can be found on their website.

 

How Can I Support the Stripey Stork?


Vote for Stripey Stork in February’s Discount Promo Codes poll to help them support families experiencing the effects of poverty in Surrey and Croydon. Cast you free vote in the poll featured on the Discount Promo Codes homepage.

You can also support Stripey Stork in the following ways:

 

How Can I Find Out More about Stripey Stork?


Find out more about Stripey Stork, including how to get help if you are family who needs a helping hand, by visiting their website.

Stripey Stork are supported by a wonderful team of volunteers who give up their time to sort through donations and make up the packs ready for the families that need them. If you would like to volunteer, please get in touch with them.

Follow Stripey Stork on social media to stay up to date with all their latest news and fundraising: Follow them on Facebook Instagram X and LinkedIn.

 

So, if Stripey Stork have earned your support then don’t forget to cast your free vote in our poll before midnight 28th February 2025. Head to the homepage and in just one click you can help this incredible charity to provide much-needed support to families who need it most. Don’t forget to share the poll with friends and family, the more votes the better!

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