Newtownabbey blogger joins with business to create successful ‘Giving Week’

With numbers of people accessing food banks increasing across Northern Ireland, more people are also seeking out essential hygiene items such as nappies and baby wipes.
By Elinor Glynn
Published 19th Oct 2020, 10:30 BST
(L-R) Katrina, Daniel and Michelle who organised a successful Giving Week(L-R) Katrina, Daniel and Michelle who organised a successful Giving Week
(L-R) Katrina, Daniel and Michelle who organised a successful Giving Week

Michelle, a mother of two young children and blogger from Newtownabbey, was horrified to learn that some parents are having to reuse dirty nappies because they simply cannot afford new ones. A blogger at The Love Newtownabbey Girl, she decided she needed to do something to help people in the community. Using her online influence of more than 10,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram, she joined up with Matthew and Katrina, co-owners of the Glam Studio in Glengormley and made plans for a Giving Week to help support The Newtownabbey Food Bank and the Baby Bank Glengormley and Newtownabbey. Michelle said: “I made contact with the Food Bank and Baby Bank to see what items they needed most. I then made posters and shared them across my social media platforms and encouraged people to donate items such as nappies, tinned foods, and cleaning products. The response was incredible and I was delighted to use my platform for something so positive. These services shouldn’t need to exist but, they do and in order to continue helping people they need the support of the community”.

Katrina O’Hare from the Glam Studio said: “People from across Newtownabbey dropped off stuff to the Glam Studio in their droves. It was so nice talking to people and hearing stories of why they were donating. We must have collected over 150 packets of nappies alone. Everyone has been so generous and it’s been a pleasure to help with the Giving Week.”

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Daniel Black, Project Manager at the Newtownabbey Food Bank thanked people for support the Giving Week.

He said: “Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, the demand for the Newtownabbey Food Bank has more than doubled as more people seek out support.

“We have been so grateful for all the donations that have been made as part of the Giving Week. I would like to thank Michelle and the guys at the Glam Studio for all their hard work in making this so successful and, of course. the people of Newtownabbey who donated so generously.”

Related topics:NewtownabbeyNorthern IrelandPeople