Following last year’s success, help is once again being offered to those who struggle when it comes to buying new school uniforms.

After dozens of families received vital help from a school uniform exchange scheme in August 2019, Whitehaven Town Councillor Louise Walmsley is once again offering the option to parents throughout the town.

Representing Mirehouse West ward, Coun Walmsley is delighted to be supporting all parents who struggle with the cost of expensive uniforms, and is expecting a higher demand this year due to the ongoing pandemic.

“I’ve done this project for a few years now originally on Mirehouse but now cover most schools,” she said.

“I’ve seen the demand first-hand for uniforms – they aren’t cheap, and kids can grow out of them so quickly or damage them, and some families don’t have the money in their budget to replace them.”

She continued: “We are expecting a high demand this year due to current circumstances, so we are on the look out for any donations of as good as new school uniform.”

Many have already donated old uniforms to the scheme, run through the Mirehouse Community Centre, and the mum-of-four has set up a Facebook page, providing parents with an easy, discreet way to ask for help if they need it.

Coun Walmsley said: “We have had loads already donated, and I cannot thank them enough – without them this quite simply couldn’t happen.

“Anybody in need of school uniform, please message me direct on the Uniform Project [Facebook] page that can be found through #MirehouseMatters, and this will be all 100 per cent confidential.”