During their long summer holiday, generous Gateshead teenagers are helping to give out school uniforms to families in need.
The team of 17 volunteers, aged between 15 and 17, and two team managers, all left secondary school after completing their GCSE exams this year. The donation scheme, The Gateshead Uniform Donation, launched in late 2019 and has continued annually, ever since.
The teens are all helping out as part of their National Citizen Service and are also collecting school equipment to donate.
Jessica Atay, 16, a sixth-form student at Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy, said: “As a group of 17 students participating in the National Citizen Service, we have been given the task of a social action project.
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“Collectively, as students who have just finished GCSEs; we have recognised one of the main issues families face in the summer holidays is the heavy cost of school uniforms and other supplies. Therefore, we made the decision to expand on a previous successful scheme and restart the Gateshead Uniform Donation Scheme.”
Martha O’Hare, 16, a sixth-form student at Cardinal Hume Catholic School said: “In recent years, our scheme has been very successful. Not only have we previously received a large volume of donations which led to storage issues but we have also had hundreds of families collect donated uniforms and express their gratitude.
“Previously, we have received hundreds of donations which has now expanded from school blazers and ties to a large range of GCSE textbooks. Currently, we have over 50 textbooks available to collect.”
A parent said: “We are very grateful for our young people and the hard work they have put into this project. Their uniform collection will help many families across Gateshead.”
A National Citizen Service volunteer said: “I am very proud of all of our young people and their determination to not only receive as many donations as possible but also to help as many families across Gateshead. They have shown the impact generosity and teamwork can make on others.”
The collection point is at Lobley Hill Community Centre, NE11 9LS. You can find more about Gateshead Uniform Donation, here .
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