Salvation Army backs Tesco with premature baby clothes deliveries

Premature babies in NHS neonatal units across England will receive packs of clothes after Tesco and The Salvation Army’s Trading Company (SATCoL) joined forces.

Tesco is donating 23,000 F & F Premature Baby Essentials to 157 hospitals containing sleepsuits, bodysuits, hats and scratch mitts. The Salvation Army is supporting the initative by delivering the packs to the neonatal units from its depot in Wollaston over the coming weeks.

Half of all premature babies born in England over the next year will receive a pack.

Kirk Bradley, Head of Corporate Partnerships at SATCoL, said the church and charity were delighted to be able to lend a hand.

He added: “We are happy to be supporting Tesco to deliver these much-needed items of clothing to the NHS neo-natal units, which are saving young lives.  Providing this support means The Salvation Army can continue to provide practical help for people in need across the UK. These generous donations provide comfort for the most vulnerable and give these families essentials in their time of need.”

Jan Marchant is Managing Director of Home & Clothing for Tesco and said it can be difficult for parents of premature babies to find clothing items to fit at short notice.

She said: “We want to provide practical help to mums and dads at a stressful time and help give the babies a stronger start in life.”

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the packs would make a huge difference to premature babies and their families.

She explained: “Having a baby born prematurely can be a really worrying time for so many, and with our hard-working staff across the country continuing to do all they can to provide care and support to premature babies and their families, it is fantastic that Tesco is donating specialist baby clothing to every NHS neonatal unit across England to provide additional help. We are extremely grateful to Tesco, and to the Salvation Army, for making this possible.”