VIDEO: WITH the cost of living crisis hitting hard a new free school uniform facility has opened at Warrington Foodbank’s premises in Golden Square.
Mayor of Warrington Cllr Jean Flaherty was on hand to officially open the School Uniform Network facility at the shopping centre which is working in partnership with Warrington Foodbank. It is now one of three in the town.
She was joined by Warrington Borough Cllr Sarah Hall, who has been instrumental in setting up another school uniform facility at the Dallam Community Hub, while a similar facility is being set up at St Elphin’s Pavilion.
Foodbank Manager David Macdonald said he found it “abhorrent” that school uniforms for secondary pupils could cost as much as £650 when taking into account all embroidered uniforms and sportswear. He said many families could not afford these costs.
With the workload increasing on the Foodbanks it had been decided to now offer free school uniforms which can be donated by members of the public.
David said he had heard many sad stories involving families struggling to cope including one where a mother of three had sadly walked out on her children, leaving them with a grandparent, saying she could no longer cope with the financial burden.
The Mayor Cllr Jean Flaherty at the official opening
