Local politicians are working in partnership with The Gate in Alloa to operate a School Uniform Bank which will offer hard pressed families the chance to pick up new and good quality, second-hand school uniforms ahead of the new school term.

Keith Brown MSP, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP and Councillor Ellen Forson are behind the initiative.

To enable the success of the project, donations of both new and used school uniforms are required.

These can be made directly to The Gate from Monday 27 July to Friday 31 July, 10am–2pm, and also at Keith Brown MSPs office in Alloa, 9am–5pm, until Friday 31 July.

The School Uniform Bank will be open to the public at The Gate, from Monday 3 August to Friday 7 August, between 3 and 5pm. A small donation to The Gate would be appreciated from those who can afford it.

Tesco Alloa has also agreed to hold a collection weekend from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August giving customers the opportunity to make donations.

Evelyn Paterson from The Gate said: “This time of year can be quite expensive for parents who have children of school age.

“Many of us have perfectly good, wearable items of clothing ready to throw out simply because they don’t fit any more – we thought we’d create an opportunity to pool and recycle these clothes, and to help local families who may be finding it difficult to cover the cost of a new uniform.

Keith Brown MSP said: “My office is making more referrals than ever to foodbanks and many of these are families with school age children. If people are finding it hard to put food on the table, school uniforms will also be a challenge.

“It’s an unfortunate sign of the times that we are having to put in place initiatives like the School Uniform Bank, but if local children can benefit, I am more than willing to support it.” Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP said: “This is a great project which will allow families across Clackmannanshire to access school uniforms for the new term.

“The rise of foodbanks is utterly shameful but while the Westminster Government continues to fail to face up to the damage they are causing with harsh, unfair welfare cuts, they and new schemes like the uniform bank are needed to help the families who are bearing the brunt.

Councillor Ellen Forson, convener of Clackmannanshire’s Education Committee, added: “Children often need new uniforms, shoes, bags and gym kits after the summer holidays and the cost can soon mount up.

“If families are already finding it hard to make ends meet, it’s an added pressure which the uniform bank will help to ease.”