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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicola Findlay

Lanarkshire charity and credit union team up to help families hit by cost of living crisis

A lifeline charity and East Kilbride Credit Union (EKCU) have teamed up to help those struggling with the spiralling cost of living.

Share Alike are working alongside the credit union, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, to ease the burden on families who have youngsters back at school.

The charity is based near East Kilbride Bus Station at the town centre and helps some of the most needy with emergency food and clothing and a raft of other services.

They have entered into a working partnership with EKCU as demand for both organisations services continues to rise.

And with more and more wage-earners going into the Share Alike Community Hub, it is clear that it's not only people on benefits that are finding it difficult.

A spokeswoman from EKCU explained: "Ourselves and Share Alike are both community-based and located in the centre of town.

"As we are all aware that people are really feeling the pinch, to combat the going back to school expense we have created a School Uniform Loan.

(Stuart Vance/ReachPlc)

"The premise of it is that the person would join EKCU and deposit £10 into their savings account.

"They would be eligible to apply for a School Uniform Loan between £250 and £500.

"It would then be assessed by a loan officer, affordability is key for this, we would never lend to someone if it would put them in financial difficulty."

Visit East Kilbride Credit Union for contact details.

Share Alike have also been appealing for donations of uniforms and other essentials for youngsters starting back school.

The charity themselves have recently had to call for the community's support after a window of their base was smashed and they were landed with a repair bill for £3000.

A fundraising appeal was launched which has so far raised £750.

The charity has given a dire warning that if funds can't be raised they may once again be battling to stay afloat just months after overwhelming community support allowed them to open their new Community Hub.

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