A charity which provides disadvantaged youngsters with school uniforms has issued an end-of-term appeal to parents.
Moray School Bank describes itself as a “food bank for clothes” and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that children from poor backgrounds can fit in with their pals.
Chairwoman, Debi Weir, yesterday issued a rallying cry for extra supplies during the group’s busiest time of the year.
Mrs Weir lives in a former police station in Rothes, and has turned old jail cells at the bottom of the house into storage space for mounds of second-hand clothing.
But despite her healthy supply, she said more clothing would be required to meet demand with schools referring an increasing number of parents to them.
She said: “This is our optimum time of year for getting donations, with children leaving school or maybe growing out of old uniforms.
“We are run off our feet at the moment with lots of referrals coming in, and though the cells in my house are pretty full just now they will not stay that way for too long.
“Friday is the end of term, and that feels like a natural time to ask people to keep us in mind as they sort out new clothes for their children.”
Moray School Bank usually operates drop-off points around the region, and has volunteers based in Elgin, Fochabers, Lossiemouth, Buckie, Forres and Cullen.
But on Saturday, members will base themselves in Elgin’s St Giles Centre to collect clothing no longer required following the summer closure of schools.
Mrs Weir added: “People don’t even need to wash the clothes, we will take care of that and iron them before distributing them.”
The charity also stockpiles school accessories like rucksacks, bags and shoes.
Members hope to soon establish a scheme whereby people can become trustees.
