Families living on the bread line will have the cost of providing their children with toys lessened thanks to a new partnership.

Hertsmere Leisure’s children’s centres have teamed up with Borehamwood Foodbank to offer free access to the borough’s toy library to parents with children under five using the foodbank.

Families will be issued with vouchers for one year’s free membership and a free toy per week.

The Toy Library, which is based at centres throughout Hertsmere, holds a good quality toy hire service suitable for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

It also provides information, ideas and support for playing with children and resources for community groups.

Anne Frisch of Hertsmere Leisure said: “We are very excited about this partnership with Borehamwood Foodbank.

“It will allow us to reach children who are having a very hard time and provide them with toys that will support their development.”

Opened in April, the foodbank has so far helped 1,200 families and individual in the town. It collects donations of food which is given to people in crisis who have been issued with a voucher.

It is open Monday afternoons from 1.00pm to 3.30pm and Thursday mornings from 10.00am to 12.30pm at St Teresa’s Church Hall in Shenley Road. 

Judith Elders from Borehamwood Foodbank said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with children’s centres to offer toy library membership to our families.”