Donations to a Darlington uniform swap shop have been coming in "thick and fast" following the launch of the Summer Essentials Campaign by The Northern Echo.

Between 1050-1100 items have been donated to uniform swap shop Darlington Cares less than a week after the Summer Essentials campaign was launched with a mission to boost donations.

The organisation needed certain uniform items as well as things like stationary, backpacks, and sunhats leading up to the start of the new term.

Darlington Cares volunteers Dawn Weir and Karen Lynn.Darlington Cares volunteers Dawn Weir and Karen Lynn. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

This follows a campaign in December 2023, where The Northern Echo first supported Darlington Cares by launching the Coats for Christmas campaign which led to an influx of coats, gloves, hats, and scarves being donated to help those in need.

Editor of The Northern Echo, Gavin Foster, said: "It's fantastic to know that Darlington Cares has received an influx of much-needed donations.

"The volunteers do an absolutely incredible job each day for the Darlington community and it is heart-warming to know that everyone has come together for the common good.

"There is still plenty of time to take clothing items along so this is your sign to have a look at uniform your children may not need or use any more which could be given a new lease of life."

Here's a list of some of the items in no particular order that the service is urgently in need of:

  • Summer dresses and pinafores
  • Sun hats and caps
  • Thin coats and waterproofs
  • Book bags, backpacks, pencil cases and stationery
  • Polo shirts and plain coloured shirts
  • Shoes
  • Ties 

The service also accepts other pieces of uniform including blazers, trousers, shirts and jumpers from all schools across Darlington.

Chelsea Johnson, from Darlington Cares, told The Northern Echo she's hopeful the campaign will lead to an influx in donations - especially for items that are desperately needed.

She said: "We're excited for this - and really hoping it will bring in some donations. We really will take anything and everything people have. They just need to bring it down to us.

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"I think it's also a great thing for the environment too - if you look around, all of these clothes would have gone in the bin."

You can donate to any of these drop-off points:

  • Darlington Cares Centre at the Feethams Car Park
  • The Dolphin Centre
  • In a Spin, North Road
  • Cockerton Club
  • Eastbourne Park Community Hub
  • Firthmoor Community Centre