Almost one thousand families have been referred for help to a Manchester children’s charity which provides school uniform for children in low income households for the new school year.
At the official launch of its SmartStart appeal for 2016 today in Spinningfields, Wood Street Mission will be appealing to local businesses to support its campaign to give away one million pounds worth of school uniform to meet the steady rise in the number of families who need help kitting out their children in time for the new school year.
“Headlines over cut-price uniform offers are indicative of a high street back-to-school price war and shouldn’t mask the fact that many families just cannot afford the cost of uniform and other school necessities,” said Wood Street Mission Chief Executive Roseanne Sweeney. “That’s especially the case after the summer holidays which involve additional expense and often reduced capacity to work because of childcare.”
“We are appealing to local businesses, including retailers and suppliers of school wear and sports gear, to support our appeal over the summer to kit out thousands of children for school in time for September. It’s a great way to provide struggling families with practical support, as well helping their children fit in with peers and engage at school, which is key to growing up to fulfil their potential.”
The launch event will outline progress against SmartStart’s target to distribute one million pounds worth of school uniform to local children in the next four years. One donation made to the appeal this year is £15,000 worth of school coats from the Brian Kennedy Trust.
Children in poorer households do not do as well at school as better off peers and are less likely to grow up to fulfil their potential and contribute their skills and talents to the growing economy. One reason is low income families struggle to afford the costs of school which means their children can stand out and be bullied at school or fall foul of school regulations.
