Leeds mum sets up free school uniform scheme to help struggling parents and cut down on waste

Alice Hennigan set up the LS26 School Uniform Scheme after struggling to find anywhere local to donate her five-year-old daughter's old school clothes.

The 26-year-old wanted to lend a hand to parents or carers who may be struggling, while reducing waste at the same time.

She has now collected, washed, repaired and ironed more than 600 items of school uniform, ready to give away for free.

"I can't believe how much stuff I've got," said Alice, who has temporarily had to stop taking donations as her home is bursting with boxes.

"At the moment there are 40 boxes full, with different boxes for each school, as well as plain school wear.

"My daughter went through three pairs of shoes between September and February because she had outgrown them.

"This stuff costs a fortune as well."

Alice said she felt some parents would be too proud to ask for a school's help for uniform costs, and that while her area may not have as much deprivation as some parts of Leeds, some families were struggling behind the scenes.

"Some people don't have family who are able to support them," she said. "What are they meant to do in that position?

"There is still a stigma - if we all just asked for help when we needed it, the world would be so much easier."

Alice will be giving away the items at Blackburn Hall in Rothwell every Tuesday this month from noon until 3pm, and is looking at distributing winter clothing once term starts again.

Zero Waste Leeds, which also has a city-wide Leeds School Uniform Exchange, regularly post updates about the environmental impact of school uniforms.

For example, 122,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions would be saved if every new starter at Leeds primary and secondary schools had just one second-hand shirt or blouse.

Alice added: "A lot of this stuff ends up at landfill - what's the point when it can be shared?"