Help kids in need look swish for the new term
Party will raise cash to stock up school uniform bank
A community project that buys uniforms and kit for school children is holding a Swish Party to raise funds and help even more youngsters.
The Back to School Bank Paisley ensures disadvantaged youngsters get a better start in life.
It was set up by Lochfield Primary teacher Lynne Gilday, with support from other mums, school staff and friends to make life a bit easier for families struggling to make ends meet.
The bank provides children with brand new basics they need, such as a uniform, schoolbag, PE kit and even stationery to help them avoid the stigma of discrimination in lessons.
Lynne explained: “We provide disadvantaged children in the Paisley and Renfrewshire areas with brand new school uniforms where their families cannot afford to.
“Our aim is to ensure that all children regardless of their background or family circumstance/ parental income can feel the same sense of pride, dignity and self respect to that of their peers.
“We recognise that so many families are under severe financial pressure and we hope that we can alleviate some of this pressure by providing the children with new school uniforms.
“We are a voluntary organisation, run solely on donations from the kind public and organisations.
“We are approaching our busiest time of the year — the school holidays — where families desperately need our help to provide their children with uniforms in the lead up to the new school year in August.
“Therefore, we are holding some fundraising events to raise the much-needed cash in order to be able to fulfil our referrals.”
The group’s main fundraiser is the Swish Party, which will be held on Saturday, June 24, at Lylesland Church hall, Rowan Street, Paisley.
Lynne and the team of volunteers are looking for donations of preloved clothing, shoes, bags and accessories for women, children and men.
Express readers planning a clearout are being asked to hand their old clothes in for the Swish Party. Arrangements can also be made for items to be collected.
There is also an open invitation to everyone in the community to head along on the big day.
You can choose some new items for your new wardrobe and leave a donation as to what you think the items are worth. There will be tea, coffee and some delicious goodies included in the £2 entry fee.
There will also be a raffle, with prizes including a £100 Braehead gift card, a 16- week bootcamp courtesy of Core-Shed Bootcamp and Athletics, Shawlands, a round of golf for four at Cawder Golf Club, Dabbah Indian Restaurant vouchers, afternoon tea for two at Cup, spa vouchers and the use of a painter/decorator for the day.
If you can’t make it along to the Swish Party but would like to donate items — which must be brand new — to the Back to School Bank, email backtoschoolbankpaisley@gmail. com