Write a commentMany local families will already be thinking about the cost of sending their children back to school in September, with expensive school uniforms top of the list.
In a bid to support local families, school uniform sales are being organised by the South Armagh Locality Planning Group in Bessbrook and Newtownhamilton next month. The group are currently seeking donations of good quality used items including school blazers, skirts, pinafores and trousers, and PE kits.
Martina Flynn, a Community Development Worker with the Southern Trust and Chairperson of the Locality Planning Group explains: “The South Armagh LPG is a partnership between local statutory, voluntary and community organisations who work with children and families in the area, and this summer we decided to do something very practical to support local families with the cost of going back to school.
“With family budgets stretched even tighter due to challenging employment conditions and rising living costs, the added expense of kitting children out for school can add huge stress at a time when some families are already under a lot of pressure.
“We are appealing for donations of good quality uniform items which can be put to good use and worn again. Children in our area attend schools right across the wider Newry & Armagh district so items for all local primary and post-primary schools are welcome.”
Donations can be left at a number of drop-off points across the area, including Bessbrook and Crossmaglen Community Centres, SPACE (Monaghan St, Newry), Newry and Mourne Carers (Savages Terrace, Newry), John Mitchel Place in Newry and the Health and Social Care Board offices at Tower Hill Armagh.
The sales will take place in Newtownhamilton Community Centre on 11 August and Bessbrook Community Centre on 12 August (2- 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm both days).
For further information please contact Julie Bolton, Locality Development Officer on 077 2523 2566 or by e-mail at Julie.bolton@hscni.net.
