A VITAL charity which provides baby items for parents in need has launched an appeal for donations and volunteers.

Precious Bundles, a charitable organisation which looks to ‘give the gift of hope’ to parents, provides baby items for newborn babies, up to the age of five.

The charity was set up four years ago by mum, Julie Odd, after deciding to put her only child's clothes to good use.

She began running pop ups, where parents could drop in and grab what they needed, in Greenstead and Monkwick, eventually gaining storage space at the Kingsland Church.

When Julie started she would meet with just one or two families a week.

Four years later, they receive visits from 30 to 40 families in need a week.

Gazette: The charity gives parents in need the opportunity to access resources for their children and babies.The charity gives parents in need the opportunity to access resources for their children and babies. (Image: Newsquest)

Julie, who now predominantly runs the service by herself, has described the role as "more than a full time job."

With the occasional help from volunteers, services have been stretched, with the urgent need for clothing donations rising.

Julie, from West Bergholt, said: “It has been very busy, it can be a little overwhelming at times, but I really enjoy what I do. I have a real passion for people, I want them to feel loved.

Gazette: Charitable - Precious Bundles also makes Moses baskets for soon-to-be parents.Charitable - Precious Bundles also makes Moses baskets for soon-to-be parents. (Image: Newsquest)

“It is so easy to get caught in a spiral of negative circumstances, there are so many hoops to jump through to get benefits, but we don’t ask for referrals or anything, with no paperwork to fill out. People can come to one of our drop in sessions and we just say to them, ‘take what you need’.

“I just want people to feel that they are seen and special, and because they can’t afford something they shouldn’t get the dregs, of clothes.

“I want them to feel they matter and that they are worthy as people.  We are a church-based organisation, and God loves you all. The system might not see them, but God sees them. We see them.”

To donate or offer your services to Precious Bundles, you can visit their Facebook page, at bit.ly/3LUjBjF.