Kind-hearted Alison ensures kids in need are Clothed in Love
Retired nurse is giving pre-loved essentials to families
A gran is hoping to spread some love around families in need by giving their young children free clothes.
Kind- hearted Alison Hastings set up Clothed in Love earlier this year to give away clothes to youngsters aged from birth to five.
The retired nurse first had the idea when she worked at a nursery in a deprived area years ago.
Alison is a member of Mossvale Community Church and before lockdown she spoke to schools and nurseries, who agreed there was a need in the area.
Then, with the support of the church, she started the group in March.
She said: “I feel it’s been in my heart for a long time. I just wanted to do something to help families.
“I’ve had such a lot of good feedback and I think there is a real need for this. People are telling me I’m on the right track.
“Before I knew it, it got bigger and bigger.
“I really feel there’s a need out there, especially with coronavirus.
“Financially I’m sure a lot of families, through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs or are struggling.”
Alison, 66, has received a lot of donations and, with the help of a £ 2,268 grant from Foundation Scotland, has sourced a storage unit.
She has spoken to local schools and nurseries, Renfrewshire Council’s social work department, as well as groups like the Star Project and Home Start Renfrewshire.
Now she’s keen to get referrals so she can start getting all the donations out to children and families.
“I’ll only take referrals from m people or organisations like e schools or through the church, , so I know the clothes are going g to people who really need d them,” she explained.
“I’ve got a lot of donations s now, but I’m waiting on more e referrals coming in. Covid has s made that a lot harder.”
Alison, who lives in n Elderslie, goes through the e donations to make sure the e clothes are clean and have e no tears or damage. They’re e then sorted into different age e groups and put into gift bags.
She explained: “I wanted d to put the clothes into a gift t bag with a sticker on it from m Clothed in Love.
“It’s love in action – it’s a gift to those families and their r children.”
To find out more about t Clothed in Love, go to www..facebook.com/donatekidsclothes or email hello@@clothedinlove.co.uk