Mother's Balderton-based online business gives back to the hospital that cared for her children
A mother is giving back to the hospitals that supported her premature children.
Newly re-located to Balderton; Sarah Massey runs Ciarán’s Cupboard, an online store selling like-new children’s clothing and — with the money raised — funds Ciarán’s Bags, an initiative creating care packages for families in Nottingham’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU).
Two of Sarah’s three children were born premature and required treatment at the Queen’s Medical Centre NICU.
She said: “I spent an awful lot of time in the neonatal unit. When I had my middle daughter Molly I had no supplies with me.
“I was trying to think of ways to give back, so I decided to make these bags.
“The messages I’ve had have been amazing. It’s a very intense situation to be in and it is nice to know someone is thinking of you.
“I hope the bags will put a smile on someone’s face.”
It was Sarah’s third child Ciarán who prompted her to start the business. Born premature, his lungs were underdeveloped and he was cared for in the NICU, with his first year spent in and out of hospital.
As a result, Ciarán was spoilt with lots of clothes and Sarah started selling his pre-loved clothing on Instagram before building her business and creating a website.
Sarah added: “He went through an awful lot, and it is one of the reasons I started the business.”
Each bag has a water bottle, re-usable coffee mug, notebook and pen, toiletries and a first baby outfit and knitted hat.
Since starting her business in 2020, Sarah has delivered 30 bags — which cost up to £30 to make — to the city’s hospitals, with another 40 ready to go.
She also hopes to raise enough money to distribute the bags to more hospitals.
Now Ciarán’s Cupboard sells donated clothes, ranging from tiny baby to age ten, pre-loved children’s books and provides a service selling clothes for a commission.
The money raised helps her to continue filling bags to support families in hospital with their children.
To buy, sell or donate to Ciarán’s Cupboard visit https://www.ciaranscupboard.com/
