Babies in Hawick 'literally starving' concerned councillor reveals

The shocking revelation came amid a call at a meeting of Scottish Borders Council for the creation of a baby bank in Hawick & Denholm to provide practical and emotional support for people facing urgent pregnancy-related challenges.

Figures presented to the meeting revealed that 15.9 per cent of children in the Borders are living in what is deemed relative poverty.

But the figure for Hawick & Denholm is the highest – at 25.6 per cent.

The alarming statistic was humanised by an independent councillor for that ward, Clair Ramage, who praised the work of the Salvation Army shop on the town’s High Street.

She said: “They do an amazing job but Captain Caroline Brophy-Parkin, who is under so much stress, also told us about three separate incidents in which young mothers had no formula milk and their babies were literally starving.

“I cannot believe in this day and age that I am saying that but there were problems with two of the young mothers who don’t speak English and another Scottish girl being embarrassed to ask for help.”

Fellow ward councillor Stuart Marshall described the figures as “absolutely appalling” with 381 children in Hawick & Denholm living in relative poverty.

He called on the council to work alongside the Salvation Army to identify the people who are not receiving the support that is available.

Councillor Marshall added: “I heard at a meeting of some mothers who are urgently seeking nappies for their babies, some are seeking help for registering with doctors and, very worryingly colleagues, some young mums are desperately seeking baby milk, yes baby milk.

“We were told of the Salvation Army having to purchase very regularly supplies of baby milk.

“I would welcome at the earliest opportunity to meet with council officers and others of course, including the Salvation Army, to explore the possibility of setting up a baby bank in Hawick, which would, in my opinion, go a huge way to supporting those mums and youngsters getting access to baby milk, nappies and other vital essentials.”

Echoing the comments, council convenor Watson McAteer, who represents neighbouring Hawick & Hermitage, outlined his shock at revelations outlined at a meeting with the Salvation Army in the town.

He said: “I am not a person who is easily shocked, for a whole lot of reasons, but to get a description on Saturday morning of a screaming baby, who is screaming through hunger, so desperate to eat, is not something I expected to hear in Hawick and it really did set us back.”