Demand for essential baby items in Athlone has surged by 40% in past year

Ireland's national baby bank, Community Connect, has reported a 40% surge in demand for essential baby items in Athlone in the past year.

Recent figures by the charity show that one in five children in Ireland now lives below the poverty line, forcing parents to choose between heating their home, food, or basic necessities like nappies and cots.

Community Connect is a registered charity dedicated to providing practical support to vulnerable pregnant mothers and parents with small babies, who are struggling to provide for their children.

Their hubs, based in in Athlone, Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Kilkenny, accept donations of new and pre-loved essential items for babies and children, and pass them on for free, from one family to another.

Since its establishment in 2023, Community Connect has supported over 1,750 families, completing over 2,000 deliveries across Ireland, providing 1,576 clothing bundles, 873 buggies and strollers, 554 cots and cribs, as well as numerous other vital baby equipment and gift packs.

On Tuesday, February 3, IKEA Ireland announced a vital partnership with Community Connect. For every GREJSIMOJS product sold from now until Sunday, April 26, €1 will be directly donated to Community Connect, helping ensure more babies and children across Ireland have the essentials they need to thrive.

Elaine Noonan, CEO and Co-Founder of Community Connect said: “It’s not easy to raise a child in today’s economy, especially with the ongoing cost-of-living and housing crises.

"For families without financial stability, the challenge of providing even the basics for their children can feel overwhelming. We are delighted to be teaming up with IKEA again to ease that burden and help parents feel more supported during those crucial early stages of their child’s life."

For more information on Community Connect or to donate pre-loved items, please visit www.CommunityConnect.ie.