At the start of the Covid outbreak in 2020, leading British reusable nappy brand TotsBots sprang into action. The company began making colourful face masks for adults and children from its factory in Glasgow. They sold instantly from the brand’s website and other retailers.
TotsBots is now giving back to the many dedicated care staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. It is doing this by donating a total of £30,316 to two charities. Firstly, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, which fundraises to ensure that every baby, child and young person treated in Scotland’s largest children’s hospital receive the extra special care they deserve, will receive £20,138.
Additionally, NHS Charities Together, a national independent charity with a network of over 240 NHS charities across the UK that provides extra support to care for NHS staff, patients and communities, will receive £10,178.
TotsBots’ co-founder, Fiona Smyth, is especially grateful to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and the NHS.
In the summer of 2019, her son Darach, who was born with a rare congenital heart defect, developed endocarditis. This is a potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart. Darach spent seven weeks in hospital and eventually endured open-heart surgery. Undoubtedly an extremely stressful time for any parent, this experience was made less traumatic with the support from various health care professionals and staff.
“The kids’ cardiac team at Glasgow Children’s Hospital, some of whom have been there from the beginning of Darach’s journey, feel a bit like an extended family to us,” says Smyth. “When we walk on the ward, we are met with well-known faces that have cared for Darach since the day he was born and have supported us through some of our darkest moments.
“It is such a cliché, but we always say this after a surgery; we don’t know how they do it, day in and day out. Words really cannot communicate the deep sense of gratitude you feel when you say your goodbyes to them as you head home after another successful surgery.
“We feel so indebted to everyone. It’s nice to be in the position to do something to give back; especially to the charity where we have experienced first-hand the work that it does. Raising funds for something that makes such a difference to kids and families during difficult times is our immense privilege.”
Also commenting is Kirsten Watson, chief executive, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
“We are incredibly grateful to TotsBots for this very generous donation. We can never say thank you enough to local businesses like TotsBots which, during a time of such great uncertainty and unprecedented challenges, have gone above and beyond to support the Charity. We rely entirely on donations and fundraising to continue our life-changing projects at the children’s hospital. This kind gift will make a remarkable difference to our young patients, their families and the NHS heroes who care for them.”
Faye Knights adds; “We are delighted that TotsBots have been fundraising for NHS Charities Together. This generous donation will enable the health service to go above and beyond what would otherwise be possible; helping fund projects that improve services for patients as well as supporting NHS staff and volunteers both practically and emotionally so that they can continue with their vital life-saving work.”
Over the years, TotsBots has grown steadily to become one of the UK’s leading reusable nappy brands. It has also invested resources in product development and innovation which has been key to the brand’s success.
In 2003, TotsBots revolutionised the industry by developing an eco-friendly and ultra-performing reusable nappy made from bamboo. This was the first-ever reusable nappy to win the Mother & Baby Gold Award. TotsBots was also the first brand to use recycled polyester yarn for the waterproof fabric on its nappies’ exteriors. This diverts two plastic bottles on average from going to landfill per nappy.
For further information on TotsBots, please click here.
