The West Midlands Multibank will open in Birmingham on Monday, with the aim of distributing more than 750,000 surplus goods to 75,000 families in the region over the next year
A new initiative co-launched by ex-PM Gordon Brown is set to make a significant impact from Monday, as the latest multibank opens its doors in Birmingham with a commitment to provide surplus goods to thousands of families in need.
The West Midlands Multibank aims to distribute over 750,000 surplus items to some 75,000 families across the region within the next twelve months. Gordon Brown highlighted the growing backing for multibanks from UK businesses, which contribute a variety of items such as clothes, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, and personal care products.
These are then passed on by social workers, educators, charities, and community groups to local families. He remarked: “The opening of the West Midlands Multibank will help families, schools and all family support services across the region to have the material means to relieve and turn around the dreadful hardship being experienced across this region.”
John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK country manager and a key supporter of the project, expressed the objective clearly: “Our goal is simple: to help as many families across the West Midlands as possible, by connecting surplus goods from Amazon and other businesses, with those who need it most.”
He added, “We’ve now donated seven million products to more than 600,000 families by working with committed partners to scale the multibank across the UK.”
Brian Carr, the chief executive of Birmingham Voluntary Service Council, expressed his gratitude for the support that has made the West Midlands multibank a reality: “Thanks to Gordon Brown’s vision and to the generous support of Amazon and Comic Relief, the West Midlands multibank will be helping local charities, schools and social workers to access essential goods for families in need.”
He hailed the project as a groundbreaking effort to combat poverty and pollution while enhancing lives.
Samir Patel, the chief executive of Comic Relief, also praised the initiative: “This new multibank will be an invaluable lifeline to many people across the region. Comic Relief is incredibly proud to support and help this vital cross organisational initiative that helps essential goods; whether it’s clothes, bedding, household products or school uniforms reach communities and families who need it most throughout the UK.”
The West Midlands multibank joins a series of similar projects across the UK, spearheaded by Gordon Brown and Amazon, which have collectively distributed over seven million items to assist more than 600,000 families in Scotland, Greater Manchester, Wales, London, and Tees Valley.
