More parents struggling to afford school uniforms
BURTON parents are struggling to afford their children’s uniforms with the Staffordshire school year set to start this week.
Burton crisis charity The Loveinspire Foundation has been inundated with cash-strapped parents this summer.
And with many having to spend hundreds of new uniforms, charity boss Monica Holton says more help is needed.
She said: “The pricing structure needs to be in line with what parents can afford and it’s becoming a bigger problem as time progresses.
“A lot of the time people assume that the parents who need help are those who are on benefits, but now that’s not the case.
“I’ve received requests from working parents who’ve been made redundant during the Covid crisis and need help.”
Monica is now calling on the community to sponsor uniforms for children in town.
She says the requests are for standard uniforms and PE kits, with scores of families having got in touch this summer.
She said: “The requests for uniforms this time around have been (an) extremely high (number).
“Due to the effects of the pandemic, parents can’t afford the uniforms and it’s starting to become a big issue.
“The affordability element has left parents in a predicament. Schools are asking for parents to purchase branded uniforms with logos.
“I do feel schools generally need to look at the pricing structure and work with parents on the matter.
“The children want to look their best – going into a new school can be a nerve-racking experience.
“We’re working with with My Uniform, in Wellington Road, to support families in need and have already spent hundreds of pounds.
“For the first time in the history of the Loveinspire Foundation, we’ve had to dig into the emergency budget.
“I’m appealing to members of the community to help us out by sponsoring a school uniform and helping those who need help.”