A FOODBANK offshoot providing clothes and cots has celebrated its 300th referral in the Stroud area.

Stroud District Kids’ Stuff, a part of the district foodbank, provides needy children with basic items like cots, buggies, stairgates and clothing.

The charity has now helped 300 families, just over a year after it was formerly launched to add another layer to the vital foodbank service helping people experiencing food poverty.

Kids’ Stuff works with professionals to identify families in need and provide them with clothing, furniture and toiletries.

Stroud District Foodbank’s (SDF) manager Will Mansell said the Kids’ Stuff project aimed to provide the necessary basics to support children’s development.

“It has grown exponentially, having gone from one or two referrals a week, to currently over ten,” he said. “We have now processed our 300th referral.

“Demand for our services is clearly growing and we are delighted to see the positive impact Kids’ Stuff is having on the local community.

“It is clear that many people in the Stroud area share our concerns for children and the need for a good start in life.”

The volunteer-run scheme runs on local donations of good quality items that can be recycled and redistributed.

It helps get families back on their feet by providing basics like beds, highchairs and toiletries.

Mr Mansell said people frequently found themselves in tough situations and the scheme aimed to extend a helping hand to try to alleviate some of the pressures of living in our demanding world.

Kids’ Stuff welcomes donations of new or good condition used clothing, equipment like stairgates, moses baskets, pushchairs and beds, new nappies, car seats, bottles and dummies, children’s books and new toiletries for babies and mothers.

For more information on the items currently needed and how to help Stroud families, visit www.strouddistrictkidsstuff.org.uk