A midwife collected gift boxes with essential baby items for vulnerable mums-to-be.

Eight gift boxes containing pre-loved baby clothes and other essential items were presented to Caroline Garside, senior midwife and lead for the Acacia team at Barnet Hospital.

The boxes were made possible by a £375 donation from Barnet Waitrose Community Matters and donations from NCT members.

Ms Garside said: "It is fantastic that we can offer this extra bit of support to the most vulnerable new mums.

"It will make a tremendous difference to them - helping them care for their babies and knowing there are people in the community that care about them, too. Thank you to the NCT for their support."

Up to 250 babies will be born at Barnet Hospital over the two weeks of Christmas, and a small number will be born to vulnerable families.

NCT provides antenatal support to parents, and have been supporting the Acacia Team who support families in need.

NCT volunteer Katy Heaney said: "We want to help them celebrate the birth of their children as no matter what the circumstances, a new baby is a new chapter in any family’s life.

"The Acacia team is a critical part of maternity support in Barnet."

If you wish to find to find out more about the NCT go to www.nct.org.uk