A lifeline charity that provides baby goods to struggling parents across Lanarkshire has launched a desperate search for new premises after being hit by flooding.
Baby Bank Scotland, which is housed within the North Stand at Hamilton Accies Football Club, was left devastated after a burst water tank drenched their unit, ruining thousands of items.
The incident saw gallons of water pouring through the ceiling and engulfing the charity's room below. Items including prams, cots, car seats, covers, and clothes were destroyed.
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Charity bosses took the decision to close with immediate effect on December 17 while the damage was surveyed.
Unfortunately, two weeks on the unit has shown no signs of improvement and the charity has taken the decision to relocate. They've launched a desperate bid to try to find a new suitable location.
Taking to social media, the charity said: "The last 2 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 is looking to remain in the Hamilton locality but would consider Blantyre, Motherwell, and Bellshill locations and would 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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