Fylde FB Group 'inundated' with requests for second-hand uniform
It's as parents get their kids ready to get back to the classroom
A mum in Blackpool who set up a Facebook Group to help struggling parents says she's been inundated with requests for second hand school uniforms as children prepare to head back to the playground.
It's estimated kitting out kids for the classroom can cost over £200 each, something many families are struggling with because of the pandemic.
Sarah Ogborne started online group No Child on the Fylde Goes Without during the first lockdown, she said she's seeing more families than ever needing their help: "With a lot of these working families, they've lost their jobs or hours and they're only just scraping by with the bare minimum with things like putting food on the table.
"Spending £200 on a uniform shop...it's just unfeasible for people because they can't afford it."
Sarah herself was faced with £200 for her child who's starting secondary school in September: "It was a scrape, luckily I have family to help. If it wasn't for that...I would really struggle and I probably would be begging and asking friends if they've got spare skirts or shirts because I haven't got it, I haven't got the money. I lost my business during the pandemic too, so I've not had the best ride through the pandemic either, I've had no income.
"When you get into the high school years...you've not just got the basic shirt and trousers, you've got the blazer, the tie, you've got your P.E. kit, your football boots. It just becomes this huge list and you look at it and you just think how the heck am I going to pay for this?
The mum of two is also lobbying for logo-less uniforms to make costs easier for parents: "All you'd have to do is purchase the logos and labels to put on yourself which would really keep the costs down so much for these families that are struggling."
Sarah's group now has five volunteers based all along the Fylde coast to make sure residents don't have to go far to pick up uniform if they can't drive: "I just really want to say thank you to my volunteers because they are working so hard, we do it all in our spare time and we're up until 2/3am sometimes sorting uniforms. I really just want to say thank you to Yvonne, Vicky, Kerry, Louise and Robyn."
Sarah also advised anyone struggling to pay for school uniforms to contact their school and see if they can offer second-hand uniforms or support.