Free school uniforms read to handed out to Wirral families

Jan 2 2013 by Daniel Johnson, Heswall News

HUNDREDS of school uniforms will be given to Wirral families in a project to save cash-strapped parents money ahead of the new term.

Outgrown school uniforms have been recycled by parents and students throughout December to save families forking out a fortune kitting out their youngsters.

Items including sports kit, trainers, shirts, bags and blazers were collected in drop boxes in schools and in ASDA in Woodchurch.

After a team of volunteers have lovingly washed, mended, ironed, and sewed on countless new buttons, the uniforms will be available for collection today.

The rapidly growing Wiral FUSS campaign – Free Uniform for Secondary Schools – is the brainchild of Sheila Fowler, a grandmother from Hoylake.

She set it up after seeing families struggle with the cost of uniforms, which can run into several hundred pounds in large families.

Sheila said: “In difficult financial times it makes sense to pass on things no longer needed or which fit and take some good quality replacements.”

“The success of the project relies on the parents who have donated uniforms and the schools who are prepared to have a drop box in their foyer and we would like to thank them.

“Unfortunately not all schools take part and Wirral Fuss is delighted that ASDA have supported the idea and have a box in their Woodchurch store.”

The clothes and sports kit will be available for collection from St Luke’s Methodist Church in Hoylake today (Wednesday, January 2) from 10am until 1pm, and later from 5 to 7pm.

Over four days in August before the new school year 120 families went to St Luke’s to pick up uniform for their kids.

Shelia added: “When I was young hand-me-downs from your older siblings was the norm, this is no different.

“It’s heartwarming to know many people have taken the time to wash and iron the clothes.

“It makes ecological and economic sense to recycle, which can be then used again next year.”

If you would like to donate tweet@wirralfuss, email wirralfuss@ymail.com or go along to St Luke’s today.