A West Belfast man has spoken of the heartbreaking reality that families across Belfast and beyond are going through with regards to school uniform costs.
Paul Doherty, who runs Foodstock and a uniform popup in Andersonstown, says he had one family walk from their North Belfast home on Tuesday to seek their help.
He said the joy of getting into their chosen school was soon brought down as the parents learned of the costs of the uniform for their child.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, the SDLP's representative for West Belfast, said while the case of this particular family is damning, it is not unique in Belfast.
"We have opened another unit to run this pre-loved uniform spot because we know the scale of this problem," he added.
"From day one we have been inundated with families who need support with the costs of school uniforms for their children. How we work is, people can come in and donate pre-loved school uniforms, that are in good condition.
"Other families who need them, can then avail of them. Whenever I was growing up, if anyone in the street had outgrown their school uniform, they'd pass it on, and that's what we are trying to achieve here.
"It is not charity, it is solidarity within the community because there are so many people struggling at the minute. This year we are seeing larger numbers of parents struggling with uniform costs.
"The question for us is, if people can't put food on their tables or heat their homes, how are they going to be able to afford these extortionate school uniform costs?
"What we have seen, and not for the first time, is a family walking from North Belfast, up the Falls Road and all the way up to Andersonstown to avail of our support.
"The elation of getting a place in a Grammar School for this family, soon disappeared, as they started to worry about how they could afford the uniform. They said they didn't know where they would find the money to pay for it.
"There was a huge fear, and anxiety for this family. It was terrible. We were able to help them out with brand new uniforms, and then our volunteers brought them back home."
Paul said they have seen a huge influx of support from the community, who have been donating uniforms they no longer need, to help others in need.
"The community has been amazing, but we aren't surprised by that response," Paul continued.
"This about giving people their dignity too. They can come into the shop, have a look around, and take what they need. The sign we have on the door is 'take what you need and leave what you no longer need'."
For more information on the uniform shop, please contact Paul on 07794304259.
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