Demand soars for free school uniform, says charity

A charity which offers free school uniforms says it has helped more than 100 children prepare for the new school year.

Doreen's, based at North Point Shopping Centre in Hull, repurposes unwanted uniforms and gives them to families across the city free of charge.

Ashleigh Hirst, the charity's co-founder, said: "The demand is so high so we are just wanting to help with whatever we can."

New limits on branded school uniform come into force from September, in a bid to reduce costs for parents.

Hirst, 34, said the charity had been particularly busy this week, with people queuing outside the shop before it had opened.

"We knew that there was a need, but we didn't realise how big of a need there actually was," she said.

The average cost of a full school uniform and PE kit is £442 for a child at secondary school and £343 for a primary school pupil, according to the latest Department for Education data.

From September, the number of items such as blazers, jumpers of sportswear with a compulsory school logo will be limited to three - plus a tie for secondary schools.

The government said the changes would save some families up to £50 per child.

Sam Singh, founder of Uniform Direct which has stores in Lincolnshire, said items such as trainers and school shoes were often the most expensive.

He said: "We believe that a cap on the cost of branded items and school uniform is the best way forward, rather than just capping the number of items."

Hirst said the charity had provided uniforms to between 100 and 200 customers in the past week.

Parent Rosemary Randall, who has four children, said the charity had "massively supported" her family.

Before using Doreen's, Randall said she would have spent about £500 on uniforms for her four children.

She said the main issue was not branded items, but the cost of clothing in general.

Helen Barley, from Cleethorpes, who has two children aged 10 and 13, said buying school uniform was "becoming increasingly more expensive each year".

She said a pair of trousers and a blazer costs her £25 each.

"It all adds up and I try to save a little bit of money each month, put it to one side, so I know that it's for the uniform shop."

Hirst said she would love to see school uniforms free for all children, but welcomed the government changes as a step in the right direction.

"Anything like that would make a substantial difference to the families that we support in this area for certain," she said.

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