Lola McEvoy backs The Echo's Summer Essentials campaign

Last week, we launched our campaign in a bid to help Darlington Cares, an entirely voluntary service located in a unit at Feethams Leisure Car Park. 

Each year, volunteers give away thousands of pieces of second-hand uniform free of charge to anyone who needs it. 

This summer, the clothing scheme is in need of an array of uniform - including anything from shirts to skirts - as well as summer items such as hats and caps. 

Summer Essentials campaign (Image: The Northern Echo)

The campaign followed another initiative back in December - The Echo's Coats for Christmas - which led to an influx of coats, hats, and scarves being donated to help those in need.

Since launching Summer Essentials last week, over 1000 items have been handed in, with donations coming in "thick and fast".

Speaking exclusively to The Echo on Saturday (July, 27) Darlington MP Lola McEvoy put her backing behind the campaign, asking people to get involved. 

She said: "If your children have grown out of any summer hats or aren't using any backpacks or sandals, then please drop them off at one of the many points and donate them to the town. 

"Children need some essentials this summer and any school uniform items for the new term as well are welcome. The campaign is going really well and there are over 1000 items donated already. 

"If you have got anything spare, make sure it's clean, and you can drop it off at a number of locations including the Dolphin Centre, the Cockerton Club, and Eastbourne and Firthmoor community centres."

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 

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

Chelsea Johnson, from Darlington Cares, previously told The Northern Echo: "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.