Made and packed with love from a warehouse in Brendale, midwife Melissa Redsell’s ‘baby bundles’ care packages for teen mums have been in high demand and she’s struggled to keep up – until now.
The charity, A Brave Life, recently received a $7,674 cheque, personally delivered by Mayor Peter Flannery, thanks to Moreton Bay Regional Council’s hardship and assistance grants.
“This money will allow A Brave Life to buy, package and deliver 200 more ‘baby bundles’ at a time when essential supplies like nappies and wipes can hard to find at the shops,” Mayor Flannery explains.
“Seeing firsthand the demand that A Brave Life are currently trying to supply, it was immediately clear to me that they absolutely need and deserve this financial assistance. It’s local charities and community groups like this that I won’t allow to be forgotten in the broader economic recovery of our region, as we chart a path forward through the weeks and months ahead.
“I was honestly humbled to meet such amazing women giving so much of their personal time to help others through this crisis, their commitment to empowering and supporting young women is amazing.”
“I’d encourage all charities and volunteer groups to get online and check out Council’s initial $15 million stimulus package, because there’s $5 million worth of grants there that you’re eligible to apply for,” Mayor Flannery says.
The council has streamlined its application processes to approve grants faster, so community groups receive funding as soon as possible.
The organisation was founded in 2015 and is a registered not-for-profit charity providing a person-centred, positive approach with achievable outcomes to meet the practical needs of young women from a physical, emotional and educational perspective.
Founding Director and CEO Melissa Redsell says no mother should be without the essentials for her newborn baby.
“Our baby bundles are designed for a young mother to turn up to hospital with all the immediate essentials that she needs for her baby,” Melissa explains.
“At A Brave Life, we believe in gifting good quality and safe baby products to teenage and young mothers. Each baby bundle is filled with brand new, newborn items such as nappies, wipes, baby wash, feeding equipment and newborn clothing.”
“Unfortunately due to COVID-19, self-isolation, social distancing and low stocks of newborn products, we have seen a massive increase in the demand for our baby bundles, so this funding will allow us to purchase essential items and gift them to mums-to-be via maternity social work departments, young parent programs and community centres across the Moreton Bay Region,” Melissa says.
“I believe that through our baby bundle program we are able to foster a greater sense of belonging and connection with teenage and young mothers by letting them know that there are people in the community who support and champion them on, whilst also relieving some of their financial pressure.”
Want more council news and updates? Head to our blog
#moretonbaytough
The figures are in, so we can reveal the luckiest lottery postcodes in the Moreton Bay Region … one district scored $6 million in the 2019-20 financial year.…
Brad Dockrey has not only won the annual 4KQ Christmas Lights competition – his stunning display in Warner has fans stretching down to the Gold Coast and in Europe!…
Local Stories • 8-1-2018 • Kylie Knight
Ingrid Dimock comes close to being a mother hen to “her girls” and firmly believes buying a chook should be an experience, not a transaction.…
Local Stories • 9-2-2018 • Kylie Knight
Brunella Novello says she adopted the "just watch me" mantra to overcome obstacles during building her dream home in Ocean View, northwest of Brisbane…
Local News • 9-2-2018 • Kylie Knight
It took a concerted effort from the community to create the place that has hosted celebrations and events in Samford for nearly 100 years. The Samford Farmers' Hall's history is testament to the strength of the community it continues to serve…
Local Stories • 9-2-2018 • Kylie Knight
Camping can be as rough, comfortable or luxurious as you wish and there are plenty of options in the Moreton Bay region, regardless of your preference. …
Local News • 14-2-2018 • Kylie Knight
Hannah Honnef may have German heritage and grew up on a vineyard, but she says her decision to join the beverage industry was not inevitable.…
Local Stories • 14-2-2018 • Kylie Knight
David Bateman enjoys fishing in Moreton Bay and it seems he's not alone with half of all Queensland's recreational anglers going to the same place every year.…