A CHILDREN’S charity is making an urgent request to residents to contribute to its school uniform fund, and to donate good quality items of second hand school uniform.
First Days Children’s Charity says that a growing number of families are unable to afford the essentials their children need for school.
The organisation says that it urgently needs help to support the growing number of people who need its services.
First Days works with families experiencing financial hardship, and provides clothes and essentials for children who need them.
Demand for their services has doubled since last year and they are asking people to donate £5 to their latest campaign.
This will help to provide school uniforms for over 1,500 families who cannot afford them.
The charity says that people who previously managed to afford essentials for their children, now cannot.
They give the example of a nurse, Katie, with two small children, who, when her son lost his PE kit, was not able to replace it.
Her food and household bills had risen so much, that she was faced with a choice: put food on the table or replace the lost trainers, shorts and t-shirt.
First Days stocks school uniforms in its Wokingham community hub off Denmark Street, where families can come and choose what they need.
The charity was able to help Katie, providing the kit and putting her in touch with community support.
First Days says that it has become a lifeline for families in difficulties, and wants to help many more people like Katie.
It urgently needs funds to enable it to purchase uniforms for all the borough children whose families need assistance with essential school items.
Emma Cantrell, founder of the charity said: “ Things have become so urgent because the need has more than doubled.
“We’re seeing people who we never thought would be in difficulty, nurses, and teachers, for example, families where couples are both in work, but who still can’t afford essentials for their children.”
As well as seeing a dramatic rise in need, the charity has seen its own costs rocket.
“ Our bills have gone up too,” continued Emma.
“Our rent has risen, we have salaries to pay for our family support team, and we have new items of uniform to buy for children starting secondary school in September.
“New uniform is especially important for children starting secondary education.
“They need to be able to start on a level footing with all the others, with a new uniform, just like everyone else.”
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First Days can provide a young person starting secondary school with everything they need, including a new blazer and shoes and laptop, for just £150.
This would otherwise cost families over £700.
£5 will provide polo shirts, shirts or a primary school PE kit.
£15 will give a child all of the trousers, skirts, shirts and socks they need.
£30 will provide everything a secondary school child needs for PE.
£50 will provide a Blazer and tie.
£150 will cover the full cost of providing everything a child or young person needs for school.
“We just won’t be able to help all the families that need us without additional support,” Ms Cantrell said.
“I care deeply about all the people we support, and the thought of having to turn some of them away keeps me awake at night.”
As well as the appeal to contribute to the charity’s new school uniform fund, First Days is also asking for donations of good quality second hand items.
Pre-loved quality uniform can be handed in to Tesco Wokingham on Saturday, June 10.
The First Days team will be there to receive donations from 10am until 4pm.
Shoppers will also be able to contribute by buying stationery items at Tesco and donating these too.
To contribute £5 to the fund, text UNIFORM to 70560, or visit: www.justgiving.com and search for campaign schooluniform2023.
To donate pre-loved school uniform, drop the items in to Tesco Wokingham on Saturday.
For more information log on to: www.firstdays.net
