Feltwell woman Dawn Ribardo who set up Breckland Children’s Clothes Bank prepares to open new centre off Swaffham’s Lynn Road

A mum’s mission to help children get the clothes they need is nearing a new milestone with a new centre set to open this month.

Since setting up the Breckland Children’s Clothes Bank in 2022, Dawn Ribardo, from Feltwell, has helped hundreds of families by providing pre-loved shoes and clothes for babies and children aged up to 16.

Now, the charity is ready to take a big step forward with the opening of a dedicated centre off Lynn Road in Swaffham.

Mrs Ribardo, 42, said she had been surprised by the clothes bank's popularity.

She said: “I didn’t realise there was going to be such a high level of demand.

“There are not many clothes banks or baby banks in the country. Although there is another one in Thetford, we are the only one serving the whole of Breckland, so it's very busy.”

Mrs Ribardo saw the need for the charity through her work at the housing association Victory Homes, which is part of the housing provider Flagship Group.

She said: “I’m a tenancy support officer so I support families and people who need a little extra support at difficult times. As a team, we saw a big need for children’s clothes.

“I started by gathering some clothes in my loft, with donations from friends, family and connections.”

The clothes bank was then based in a garage, and later in central Dereham, before Mrs Ribardo found the Swaffham building, which will be officially opened at a public open day on Saturday, September 28 from 10am-1pm.

Mrs Ribardo said building the charity had involved applying for grants, having a logo designed, appointing trustees, and recruiting two volunteers – with more to follow.

Helpers along the way have included her own children, who are now aged 16 and 22.

Clothes donations come via her personal network, offers on social media, and collection points at the Lynn Road centre and at Swaffham’s Tesco.

People in Breckland can request the clothes they need through an online form before collecting them from the centre.

Mrs Ribardo also runs a couple of pop-up days each year to give away school uniforms.

A pop-up in Swaffham last month saw 106 youngsters receive new outfits.

Follow ‘Breckland Children’s Clothes Bank’ on Facebook to find out more.