Bumper year for Darlington Cares school uniform scheme

Thanks to the generosity of residents, 13,000 items have been donated and 12,337 pieces of clothing have been given out to 4,393 customers over the last 12 month.

Amanda Riley, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “It has been another bumper year for the uniform scheme and I am delighted that so many families have been helped and so much clothing has been able to be reused, rather than being thrown away.

“School uniform can be so expensive and the scheme provides a great way for families to kit out their children for free.

“I would like to thank the volunteers in the shop who provide such a great service and have helped make 2023 the most successful yet.”

The shop is now closed until the new year but donations can still be left at

• the donation box in Queen Street Shopping Centre
• In a Spin laundry services, North Road
• Firthmoor Community Centre
• Eastbourne Park Community Hub
• Cockerton Club donation bin

All items of good quality school uniform, as well as shoes, wellies, trainers, children’ss winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves are needed. Everything is laundered before being made available to those who need them.

The scheme can only hand out uniform items that are donated and although they have lots of sizes and uniforms from a wide range of Darlington schools, they can’t guarantee they will have everything you need.