Teesside Charity Ask For School Uniforms For Asylum Seekers

A refugee charity is asking parents in Teesside to donate their second-hand school uniforms to children seeking asylum.

The Mary Thompson Fund provides support for families who've had to flee to the UK, many arriving with nothing.

They're hoping to start a scheme collecting uniforms for refugee children starting school in September and are urging Teesside parents to put their old uniforms to good use.

Recent government spending cuts mean some migrant families are £20-£30 worse off every week.

Charity chair Pete Widlinski says it's essential that refugee and asylum seeker children are given the chance to fit in at their new schools.

He said: "Over the years with local authority cuts, it's harder and harder to get school uniforms.

"As children haven't got school uniform to wear they're going to stand out, they're going to be a bit excluded and isolated"

The charity relies entirely on donations to support refugees, at a cost of around £30,00 a year.

Parents interested in donating their unwanted uniforms can drop them off at Justice First, 135 Norton Road, Stockton, TS18 2BG or call on 01642 601122.