FUNDRAISERS in Rhiwbina made £1,500 to support new parents by baking cakes, selling crafts and doing the hokey cokey at a Christmas craft fair.
Families were invited to Rhiwbina Baptist church on Saturday where independent stalls from around Cardiff sold handmade cards, Christmas gift packs, jewellery, and toys.
A £1 entry fee, bake sale and children’s party also helped raise funds for the National Childbirth Trust’s Cardiff, Caerphilly and Gwent branch.
NCT breastfeeding counsellor and branch coordinator Clare Coan, said: “NCT is about giving back to parents. We help them to make the right choices for themselves. This money will go a long way to support the various groups we run over the next year.”
Parents and children playing at the NCT Christmas Fair in Rhiwbina.
The charity, which offers support, information and friendship to new and expectant parents, provides mums and dads with free advice and a range of weekly activities.
Sally Caveill, an NCT fundraising volunteer, said: “Our Rhiwbina coffee group has been meeting every week for eight years now. We also host pregnancy yoga, bumps and babies and a popular group for dads.”
The Cardiff, Gwent and Caerphilly branch has around 370 members who pay £48 a year for its services. This money is used to fund many of the activities provided for parents but relies on charitable funds for the rest.
Rhiwbina mum, Hilary Maggs, said: “We did the prenatal course. It gives a good foundation for being a parent and allows you to meet other parents. It’s important to have a good network in the early stages.”
Nia Chard, 30, said: “The best thing about NCT for me was being able to make friends with other parents.”
Here is more information about local NCT groups.
