Wrap Up Your Babies’ Christmas on a Budget With NCT

Released on 19/11/2008

National New Release

WRAP UP YOUR BABIES’ CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET WITH NCT

With Christmas around the corner and the credit crunch taking its toll, the NCT is giving parents a financial lifeline by offering an alternative to forking out for brand new baby products. NCT Nearly New Sales provide parents with the opportunity to buy top quality clothes, toys and accessories for babies and toddlers in ‘nearly new’ condition at knock down prices. Plus, all profits from the sales go towards helping the NCT charity support its services and campaigns. 

With 700 organised UK-wide by local NCT branches each year, Nearly New Sales help around 250,000 expectant and new parents kit out their kids for far less than high street prices. Parents who are concerned about finances, especially during Christmas, could find the sales help ease the strain on their budget. Research shows* that the average Christmas shopper spends around £384 on Christmas presents and spending on kids comes out on top - four in ten (40%) said they spent most on children followed by other family members (27%). 

NCT Nearly New Sales, sponsored by Comfort Pure and Persil Non-Bio, could offer new and expectant parents some financial respite in the run up to Christmas. Jan Nightingale, from Coventry says; “I got almost all my 16 month old daughter’s Christmas presents from the NCT sale in Coventry last year for only £24.50.  There were so many presents that it took her over a week to open them all!”

For details of your nearest NCT Nearly New Sale visit www.nct.org.uk/nearlynewsales or call NCT Enquiries on 0300 330 0770.

Parents can also help the environment too by buying or selling goods at NCT Nearly New Sales. Every year sales prevent over 300 tonnes of baby clothes and equipment ending up as landfill. Parents who are encouraged to come along as sellers must stick to the one condition that the goods they sell are 'nearly new'.

Timothy Todhunter, NCT Nearly New Sales Manager, says; “NCT Nearly New Sales give parents the chance to not only buy everyday items for a fraction of high street prices, but also to pick up a bargain for Christmas. Nearly New Sales can help to ease the financial strain on the family budget this Christmas and offer a more economical alternative to buying brand new. So whether it’s cots, prams, toys or clothes, NCT Nearly New Sales should have everything you need.”

There are over 700 Nearly New Sales held annually - most NCT branches hold at least two sales, along with a ‘toy sale’ around Christmas time. Nearly New Sales, held by 315 volunteer-led local NCT branches, raised over £1,100,000 in 2006-7 for the charity’s vital work with parents. 

ENDS

For more information on the NCT’s Nearly New Sales please contact Imogen Davies on 020 7025 7557 Marina El Sidaoui on 020 7025 7559 or email Imogen.davies@trimediauk.com or marina.elsidaoui@trimediauk.com

* Research undertaken by GfK NOP on behalf of Halifax Credit Cards. A representative sample of 1003 adults were surveyed between 7^th–9^th September 2007http://www.hbosplc.com/media/pressreleases/articles/halifax/2007-11-03-Christmasp.asp?section=halifax 

Notes to Editors:

1. Comfort Pure and Persil Non-bio (Unilever) are sponsoring NCT Nearly New Sales for three years.

2. The NCT – formerly the National Childbirth Trust - is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood – we’re with you all the way from bump to baby. Each year we support thousands of parents through a life-changing experience, offering expert information and trusted practical and emotional support through our network of 300 local branches, helplines, classes and breastfeeding counselling and we campaign for improvements to maternity care.For more information on NCT call 0300 330 0770 or visit www.nct.org.uk