A charity that provides baby goods and acts as a lifeline to struggling parents across Lanarkshire is on the hunt for new premises after being hit by severe flooding.
Baby Bank Scotland, which is housed within the North Stand at Hamilton Accies Football Club, was left destroyed after a water tank burst, drenching their unit and ruining thousands of items in the process.
The devastating event saw gallons of water pouring through the ceiling and engulfing the charity's room below. Items including prams, cots, car seats, covers, and clothes are now all gone, according to GlasgowLive.
The charity was shut down by bosses with immediate effect on December 17 while the damage was reviewed. Sadly, a fortnight later, the unit has shown no signs of improvement and the charity has taken the decision to relocate. They've now launched a desperate bid to try to find a new suitable location.
The charity said: "The last two weeks the floor remains wet and the place smells quite badly of dampness now. The next option is for the carpet tiles to be uplifted in a bid to remove the damp smell and allow the floor to dry out.
"Unfortunately that means we will then be left with a bare stone floor in an unheated building which will make working conditions more difficult for our team and volunteers. It also proves a challenge for larger donations which are stored directly on the floor such as the cots and mattresses.
"We knew when we moved in to the North Stand in September that it was only a temporary move due to the ongoing redevelopment plans that Accies and Blameless have been working on.
"We hoped that we wouldn't have to be moving quite as soon as this but it seems inevitable now in light of the situation that this is what needs to happen in order for us to be in a position to continue providing a worthwhile service."
The charity wishes to stay in the Hamilton locality but would consider Blantyre, Motherwell, and Bellshill locations. They'd prefer a ground floor space with parking for drop-offs and collection.
The Hamilton children's charity shop Swaddle, on Castle Street in the town centre, will luckily be able to reopen as of Saturday (January 7) after being forced to close as a knock-on effect of the flood at the Baby Bank.
Anyone who is able to help with Baby Bank Scotland's search for a new premises is asked to contact them on social media.
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