Cambridge High School students collected 240 pieces of pre-owned school uniform for Cambridge Community House.
Cambridge High School media studies teacher Vanessa Tupp sorts donated uniforms.
Pukeroro House leaders and members of a year 11 media studies class organised the initiative, spearheaded by students Megan Botha, Taryn Oosthuizen and Sasha Sergiychuk.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from school families,” Sergiychuk said.
Cambridge Community House’s second-hand uniform shop, run by volunteers, sells Leamington School, Cambridge Middle School and Cambridge High School uniforms for a koha.
“Some parents cry when we say they only have to pay a donation, because it’s so stressful for them to uniform their children with the cost of living and everything else,” Cambridge Community House receptionist Amy Watkins said.
“It’s really tough out there at the moment and I think it’s getting tougher and tougher and tougher. Our financial mentoring services are full, our mentors are very, very busy supporting people within our community, and the need for financial mentoring is increasing.”
Watkins said the uniform shop usually received two – but sometimes up to 10 – customers daily and was busiest at the start of each school term.
It was particularly popular in January, when parents and caregivers were trying to avoid back-to-school budget blowouts.
“At the beginning of the year people are recovering from Christmas and holidays, they’ve got stationery to purchase – buying new uniforms can be a massive expense,” she said.
Cambridge Community House whanau support worker Annette Peake (left) and receptionist Amy Watkins (right) with a Cambridge High School student
