Kiren’s big heart brings lots of joy for tiny tots

As a new mum, Kiren Bigwood was struck by her baby daughter’s vulnerability. She had lots of family support but began to think about other parents who might be struggling to afford essential items for their newborns.

That’s where the seed for Little Things For Tiny Tots was planted, says Kiren. “I had a lot of baby goods myself and so many things I wanted to donate.”

She spoke to several women’s refuges and family support services and, together with two other Perth mums, was inspired to set up a charity to help babies in need.

The three women began by gathering their own pre-loved baby items and reaching out to friends on Facebook. Soon they had enough to put together five New Baby Boxes.

That was in November 2015. By mid-2018, the Little Things charity was distributing up to 38 boxes – including more than 1500 nappies – each month.

Kiren runs the charity from home, spending her spare time collecting new and pre-loved items such as clothing, blankets, nappies, wipes, bibs and toys that help families care for a baby in the first few weeks of life.

The boxes are then distributed by partner organisations and government agencies – mostly to women with limited financial and emotional support. Every one contains a handwritten note with words of encouragement.

“The mums find it very touching because there are people who care about them.”

Kiren is “humbled” to have been voted a Westfield Local Hero and have the support of the community.

“It’s great that Westfield recognises what an individual such as myself can do on a smaller level,” she says.

“We are a grass-roots organisation and operate only in Perth, so the local aspect is very important.

The $10,000 Westfield Local Heroes grant has enabled them to move to a new storage and volunteer workspace as well as obtaining Public Liability, Protector/Association Liability and Volunteer Workers Accident Cover insurance.

“Thank you to everyone who voted and shared our posts your votes made this happen! Thing brings us one step closer to our dream of renting a warehouse and helping more babies and families in WA. Thank you again and special thanks to Westfield Innaloo for your generous support of our community.”

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.