By Leah Conway –
Uniform Exchange, a Kirklees charity, has issued a plea for community donations this year. They are asking for donations of winter coats to support vulnerable children and local families throughout Kirklees
The effort is to help some of the 15,000 children in Kirklees that live in poverty, which is the same as 1 in 3 households.
The charity was motivated to take action back in 2011. A group of Huddersfield mums set up Uniform Exchange as a way to support the local community. This year they are anticipating an upturn in demand for their services, as many families across Kirklees are reaching crisis level over winter.
Uniform Exchange helps to ensure that children have access to a full school uniform and a warm winter coat; helping families and children focus on their education and learning.
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Extremely cold winter
Kate France, Project Director at Uniform Exchange, said, “It’s going to be extremely cold this winter, and many children in our community are not ready for it. The past nine years have seen Uniform Exchange collect and distribute school uniforms and coats to over 9,000 children in the local community, enabling them to go to school in the proper clothing. We want to continue to support these children through these cold months by supplying them with winter coats, gloves, hats, scarves and underwear.
“Having your support in these cold winter months will help us ensure all Kirklees children have access to coats and underwear and feel happier to attend school; allowing them to be warm, feel included and are more inclined to learn”.
Kate added, “If you can donate an old coat suitable for school, we will find a child in Kirklees who can reuse it”.
How to get involved
To support this year’s Winter Coat Project or request a coat you can contact the Uniform Exchange team onn07955 724789 or email info@uniform-exchange.org
You can also visit their website here to find out more or to donate.
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