// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
Pre-loved uniforms save families £69, says charity
The charity Clothing Coventry provides free second-hand clothes, shoes, and school uniforms to families who are in poverty
Thousands of families saved money on school uniforms this summer through a charity scheme providing pre-loved and donated clothing for free.
Katie Wilson, CEO of Clothing Coventry, said parents were able to select items they needed and families saved an average of £69 by going to its uniform events that ran across three weeks.
Wilson said the average cost of a school uniform is estimated at £249.58 per child and that "remains a real challenge" for many families, and the charity has helped more than 2,700 children prepare for the new school year.
"Projects like this only happen because people give their time, resources and support - thank you to every volunteer who joined us," she added.
Katie Wilson, CEO of Clothing Coventry located in the Hillfields area
Across the events, the charity distributed 15,005 uniform items, including:
Alongside donated and pre-loved uniforms, it also supplied 4,659 brand-new items to 2,142 children.
A further 60 families received £30 uniform vouchers when the charity was unable to provide a blazer for their child's school.
Wilson said blazers and logoed PE kits were among the most requested items, and despite additional purchases and generous donations, demand outstripped supply in some cases.