A unique new School Uniform Swap Shop has been launched to assist families with the costs involved with sending children back to school.
Castlefinn Uniform Swap Shop on 30th July is a pop-up School Uniform Exchange where parents and children can donate all the school uniform items they no longer need and pick up items they DO need, for no charge!
The novel idea is the brainchild of local Cllr Gary Doherty and St Vincent de Paul Branch President Noeleen Killen.
Outlining the thinking behind the idea, Cllr Doherty explained “the costs involved with sending children back to school is an added burden on families around this time of year, particularly given the current cost-of-living crisis.
“So we thought about what we could do to try and help ease this burden for families and we came up with the Uniform Swap Shop!
“The idea is that parents and children will donate uniform items that they no longer need either due to the item being too small or the child has moved school etc. All the donated items will then be sorted by size and school and displayed in St. Mary’s Hall on 30th July between 12-3pm and everyone is welcome to come along and browse and take home any items they need.
“There will be no charge for entry to the swap shop or for taking items home. Everything is free on the day! All we ask is that customers consider making a small donation to the local St Vincent de Paul, but this is entirely voluntary.”
Noeleen continued: “we will be collecting donations of all school uniform items for all of the schools in the locality, both primary and secondary. Our only request is that any item that is donated is still wearable.
“On the day we will have refreshments and live music from some of the great local talent that we have in the Finn Valley. Everyone is welcome to attend and we are hoping that it will be a fun day and that it will help in some small way to ease the financial burden on parents at this time of year.
Uniform donations for the Swap Shop can be dropped into the Thrift Shop in Castlefin from now until the 28th July. St. Mary’s Hall will also be open for donations from 2-4pm on Saturday 29th July with the main event on Sunday 30th July from 12-3pm.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering in any capacity is asked to make contact with the Facebook page below or email castlefinuniformshop@gmail.com.
The Swap Shop Facebook Page is available at facebook.com/castlefinuniformshop
