Midwife Hannah Foster with Claire Ellaway, referrals manager for Little Village

MORE than 3,200 children have accessed vital help from a dedicated children’s charity this year.

Little Village, based in Euston, offers free essential items such as clothing, nappies and buggies as families face life-crippling levels of poverty.

This December, the charity, which works across London, launched an appeal to help those struggling through the winter in the face of what they say is an “unprecedented demand.”

Little Village chief executive Sophie Livingstone MBE, said: “Supporting over 10,000 babies and children across London this year highlights both the frightening scale of hardship and the positive impact of community support.

“Every week our baby bank teams meet parents in tears because they’ve skipped meals or sat in the cold without heating so their children can have something under the tree.

“No parent should have to face choices like these and by coming together we can spread some comfort and joy by helping to reach more families with a beautiful winter bundle.”

The charity said hundreds of families are struggling to afford even basics for Christmas such as decorations or small presents.

Nearly one in four parents – 23 per cent – told Little Village volunteers that the festive season came with deep worries and that rising living costs  meant that 81 per cent of parents supported by Little Village could not afford to buy warm clothing for their children.

And two thirds added they were worried about heating, food and nappies.

Courtney Western and Hattie Foxwell-Corden from Little Village

To help meet the urgent need, Little Village has launched an appeal for cash donations to help those in need receive packages of warm clothing and blankets-  and festive goodies like pyjamas, toys and books, and gifts to open on Christmas Day.

One Camden-based mother, Sara, had to turn to Little Village for help. She said: “I suddenly found myself alone with my two small girls in a cold flat just before Christmas. I had no job, no money and felt ashamed to ask for help. When Little Village called, it was the first time in a long time, I felt seen and heard.”

Its volunteers put together a parcel of essentials for Sara. She said: “When I opened the package, I couldn’t believe they had thought of everything – warm winter clothes, essentials like baby wipes and even beautiful toys.

“As I wrapped the presents, I felt the biggest sense of relief. The worry of having nothing to give my girls had been a huge knot inside me.

“On Christmas morning, my daughters were so excited when they found their gifts under the tree. We felt safe and taken care of. It meant everything to me. When you give to Little Village, you may think it’s a small gesture – but it had a massive impact on me and my family.”

For people who would prefer to donate items, Little Village are seeking essential items such as pyjamas or sleepsuits, kids toiletries new or unopened, blankets, bedding, baby baths, Moses baskets and cot or toddler beds.

Government statistics show the scale of the problem across the UK, with an estimated 4.5 million children – one in three – living in poverty.

In London, the figure stands at around 700,000.

You can visit littlevillagehq.org to donate.