Parents could stock up on as much school uniform as they needed at a charity event in Romford this week.
From Monday to Friday (July 25 to 29), charity SMILE (Support, Motivate, Invest, Lead and Evolve) distributed school attire from Romford Shopping Hall.
The event was organised by Maria Quaife along with Michelle Fitzgibbons, sales and marketing manager at the Shopping Hall.
Parents were asked to donate £2 on entry, but after that, were able to get take away all types of uniforms - from classroom wear, PE clothes, plimsoles and other school accessories - without a price tag.
Michelle said: “The parents have been so generous with the donations and swapping things over.
"It is a nice thing to do for the community.
"I’ve got the empty units sitting there doing nothing and Maria gave a shoutout saying that they needed the space and I have got the space that I thought they could use.
"I’ve got guys out on the market donating the railings and the hangers, so it has been a real team effort.”
On the first day, the queue extended outside the shopping centre to the car park an hour before the charity event started.
Attendees told this newspaper it was a brilliant idea with many usually spending upwards of £400 on uniforms for their children.
Many said this will help free up funds to spend on utilities and other bills during the cost-of-living crisis.
The parents said they were delighted with the number of clothes on offer and the condition they were in.
SMILE has been providing school uniform for the past three years, but usually does it through a referral process.
However, due to the cost-of-living crisis, it decided to open it to everyone.
Maria said: “We realised this year with the cost-of-living crisis, there are families who don’t fit our remit, who are not on benefits, but working-class families still can’t afford the uniform.
"So we have opened up to the whole community - that way, with £2, even if you walk away with a polo shirt, you still break even.”
Michelle is also looking for new businesses to set up in vacated units from £150 a week. Find out more at www.romfordshoppinghall.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here