You can bank on us to help pupils
School clothing bank issues plea for help as donations fall in lockdown
£ 44,000 to support this initiative, but this year, despite a huge surge in referalls, they are in something of a crisis.
When coronavirus s t ruck in March, the group had to alter their service.
Normally they ask individuals to sponsor a child and buy a list of clothing themselves and drop it off.
However, due to worries over infection they had to alter this and ask for cash donations instead. And now they are sitting at 70 per cent below last year’s total.
To try and remedy this they have now launched a new “Drive- by, Drop off” initiative where people can buy the items and drop them off at their offices or locations throughout the county.
The list of required items can be found on their Facebook page and normally includes items like white polo shirts, black skirts and trousers, or gym kit.
Then, on Saturday between 10.30am and noon you can drive-by their office at Dryburgh House, Meikle Road, Kirkton Campus in Livingston and drop- off your items.
The group’s volunteers will be there waiting and are always up for a sociallydistanced chat.
If Saturdays don’t suit, people can also drop off anything they purchase into one of the bright red bins at Tesco in Bathgate, Morrisons in Livingston, or Sainsbury’s in Livingston.
Collette Moran, project coordinator, said: “In the last nine weeks we have received 440 referrals for children who require uniform, PE kit, a jacket and footwear.
“We know the referrals will keep pouring in over the next few weeks and months as the effects of the coronavirus continue to affect our families and local community.
“Please donate if you can, being a small charity means that every donation makes a big difference. Donate to us and you will be making a difference to a local child in West Lothian.”
To view the list of items : ht t p s : / / www. facebook. com/ theschoolbank westlothian/