Join Libby for laughs

I HAVE a pal who, although the weans have flown the nest, still cooks for an army. Last week she decided to put this to good use to raise money for an outfit, excuse the pun, called School Uniforms North Glasgow.

Using Facebook, she invited her friends and family to her ‘Open Kitchen’ to partake of wine, pasta and cake. All they had to do was put a tenner in the tin on the way in. The place was stowed, and they raised £450.

I remember my dodgy semblance of a school uniform. It wasn’t the cardboard poking through the stubby wee collar on my yellowing shirt, or my brothers string vest, visible underneath, nor the woolly thin tie and putty-coloured socks that had lost any elasticity that irked me, it was that my brother had removed the compass from the heel of his Pathfinders before I got my feet in them.

Donations come from various sources but exclude second hand uniforms. Sometimes it’s other families who have clothes they haven’t used. Sometimes shops donate end of line stuff or some people just give money donations.

Although S.U.N.G. don’t deal directly with the family’s, referrals can come from social work, food banks, breakfast clubs and even woman’s aid. Mum’s escape might mean

This Uniform Bank is on its way to helping a whole bunch of kids enjoy their education

children find themselves at a new school, minus the uniform. There are grants available for school uniforms, but truth be told, if you’re single with three or four kids the paperwork can be daunting, and it is never enough to cover what’s expected. Apart from the uniform, there’s the PE kit ( we ran the streets of Castlemilk in bare legs and navy knickers) there’s the school bags and utensils. Never mind the Scottish weather and the need for winter Jackets in Spring, or a growth spurt.

It’s so important for a school kid not to feel like a walking target.

Thanks to my pal and the four volunteers who set up S.U.N.G, this Uniform Bank is on its way to helping a whole bunch of kids enjoy their education and plan for their future.

School Uniforms North Glasgow is only one bank – there are various initiatives like this happening in our city.

The Glasgow Council for Voluntary Organisations has set up a course for training advice and support and it’s with its guidance that it can apply for charitable status as a ‘Scottish Charitable Incorporated Institution’ In the meantime, to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/valeriegauld

And finally...

YOU know you’re old when you catch yourself referring to Waitrose on Byres Road as Prestos.