A Darlington-based uniform exchange saw over 3,000 items donated to its shop following a summer campaign to boost donations spearheaded by The Northern Echo, it has been revealed.
Darlington Cares this summer saw over 3,000 pieces of school uniform flood in to its shop after the Echo launched its Summer Essentials campaign in July in a bid to boost donations.
Each year, volunteers based in a unit in Feethams Leisure Car Park give away thousands of pieces of second-hand uniform - everything from shirts, jumpers, skirts, and trousers free of charge to anyone who needs it.
Uniform that is out of date is then shipped to Kenya for children in need and unusable uniform is sent to the Great North Air Ambulance charity to be repurposed.
Items including summer dresses and pinafores, sun hats and caps, and thin coats and waterproofs were included as part of the appeal, prompting the town to come together to help children in need.
This is not the first time the Echo has supported Darlington Cares.
In December 2023, 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.
As children return back to school and volunteers prepare for winter, Chelsea Johnson of Darlington Cares has admitted the response has been "incredible".
"It has just been absolutely crazy. Last week alone we gave out just under 1,000 items", she said.
"It's incredible. Since 2020, we've managed to save ten tonnes of uniform going to landfill. Not only are we helping the people of Darlington but also the people of Kenya."
The organisation is still open for donations, and bins are dotted around town for people to place uniform in to.
Recommended:
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
Editor of The Northern Echo, Gavin Foster said: "I am really pleased that we have made a contribution to this fantastic organisation in Darlington. It is vital that children across town get the best start in life at school and uniform is included in that.
"It is great to build on our Coats for Christmas Campaign from last year and we really hope to continue working with Darlington Cares in the future."
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