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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Emma Grimshaw

Huge event giving away free clothing, toys, food and more this weekend

A huge event giving away everything from kids' clothing to toys and even food is taking place this weekend.

Organisers have a massive supply of family household items that people can take home, and all it will cost is the £1 door entry.

All of the goodies have been donated to organisers through their award-winning Facebook group.

Paige Josham launched Mama Swaps and Freebies 18 months ago and since then more than 5,000 parents have signed up.

Paige then enlisted the help of four friends to manage the group and they soon found struggling parents were reaching out to them during their darkest times.

The volunteers have helped dozens of desperate families including a homeless mum and single parent who couldn't afford to feed her kids.

Since launching, the group of five volunteers have already hosted one 'live event' where people can turn up and collect items they need for their family for free.

And it was so successful, the team of mums now plan to run another one this weekend.

Money raised from the day will be donated to Bristol's Baby Bank Network - a charity set up to help struggling families.

From left, Kelsey Lee Booy, Tracey Hancock (no longer an admin), Paige Josham, Amy Jane Bland and Daisy Louise Till (bristol live)

Kelsey Booy, who is one of the group's admin members, said she had no idea so many people would join.

The 39-year-old said: "We have helped families in very desperate situations - homeless, no money, no food, families involved in domestic situations that have resulted in them having nothing.

"I took food round to a single mum who couldn't afford to feed her children. When I first spoke to her she kept saying she didn't want any help, she was trying to cope on her own. I insisted and and made sure she had food that night.

"We also took bedroom furniture to family who just started fostering a teenage boy.

"More people are struggling in Bristol than you would think. It's a big problem and there isn't much support for them."

Anyone who wants to get rid of unwanted items can advertise on the Facebook group.

Saturday's event is being hosted at Patchway Community Centre between 11am to 2pm.

For the latest news in and around Bristol, visit and bookmark  Bristol Live's homepage.

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