School uniform hub returns to help families

A school uniform donation hub is to return to a shopping centre in Derby for a fourth year.

The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance helps families access uniforms at a heavily discounted price through its annual scheme.

Paul Brookhouse, chief executive of the charity, said sourcing school uniform was a "major stress" for many families.

The event at the Derbion Community Hub will run from 10-14 August between 10:00 BST and 16:00.

Brookhouse said: "School uniform is another reason that people really struggle and why they come through asking for help around food because they're having to choose, 'Do we eat or do we get school uniform with kids that are going up into secondary school or growing quickly?'."

Last year, the charity supported nearly 300 children across Derby with school uniform and shoes.

It said parents spent an average of £319 per year on primary school uniform per child and £347 per year on secondary school uniform per child.

Families are either referred or asked to apply directly to the charity for support.

Francesca Burchill, community and events manager at the Derbion, said: "We live by the motto that things that are good for Derby are good for Derbion.

"We love to support our community in whatever we can do and working with great charities like Derby Food 4 Thought, it just kind of strengthens that message."

A donation box for uniforms is located outside Sainsbury's at the Derbion.

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