A Bradford mum has sent a message of hope to families battling through the cost-of-living crisis.
Kirsty-Leigh Corbet, nursery manager at Bamboo Kids Nursery, was gathering her daughter’s old uniform together when she realised its potential to help others.
As the new school term neared, Kirsty-Leigh decided to open a uniform bank and gathered donations alongside her 10-year-old daughter, Sienna, and nursery owner Melisia Griffiths Barnes.
She was shocked to see just how much parents across the district needed uniform.
More than 100 people queued up outside the nursery during its first event.
Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Kirsty-Leigh said: “Parents at the nursery had mentioned in the past about how expensive uniform is and sometimes you have to put one bill to the side in order to be able to afford the uniform.
"Sometimes the children might have to re-wear the uniform from last year until you’re able to afford it.
“On the first day, I went to the door where the doorbell had gone. There were probably 15 to 20 people there. The owner opened the other shutter and they were queuing down the steps and down the side. You literally couldn’t move.
“It was absolutely jam packed. People just kept coming and coming.
“People were so grateful. One lady said she genuinely didn’t know where the uniform was going to come from and she got a little bit teary. Both of her children were now completely kitted out.
“There was a little boy, about 11 or 12, he tried a couple of coats on. He tried this coat on and said, ‘Mum I look so smart’. He was beaming, he didn’t want to take it off.”
The East Bowling mum is set to host another drop-in between 11am and 3pm on August 27.
In a message to any parent in need, Kirsty-Leigh said: “This is a time where we all need to help each other and most people could do with that little extra help. Nobody’s money is stretching as far as it used to. I’m a single parent and I’ve managed to get some uniform for my daughter as well.”
She added: “I’m a massive advocate for not wasting anything. A lot of this uniform was just destined for the bin so if somebody can make use of this uniform that’s fantastic.”
For future events and any donations, visit ‘Bradford Uniform Stop’ on Facebook.
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