A SCHOOL uniform bank is open in Elphinstone this week to help local families, thanks to generous donations.

Charity East Lothian Roots and Fruits (ELRF) is hosting the bank at its premises on the village’s Main Street, offering a range of school clothes which have been supplied by local charity Carefree Kids and kind community members.   

An assortment of clothing items are available, including boys' and girls’ trousers, summer dresses and pinafores, jumpers, shoes and school bags.

The service aims to help families who need help with purchasing uniforms before pupils return to school later this month after the summer holidays. 

The bank is available during the shops opening hours, from 8am to 1pm tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday. 

East Lothian Roots and Fruits is a small charity based in Elphinstone which aims to make fruit and vegetables affordable and accessible; it offers a wide range of initiatives, including fruit and veg deliveries, a community garden and family activities during the school holidays. 

It also operates a community pantry which provides for those in need in the community.

Donations of food, toiletries and other essentials can be made to the ELRF shop in Elphinstone.

Pamela McKinlay, project manager at East Lothian Roots and Fruits, said: "This is a much-needed resource and we have families in desperate need of support.

"The uniform bank helps them to get their child prepared from school without the added stress of how they are going to be able to afford it.

"It is a well-used service and also a good way to recycle good-quality clothing.

"We thank our partnership workers at Carefree Kids for making this possible for us to provide."

The uniform bank at ELRF closes on Friday, but families still in need of assistance in acquiring school clothes can be referred to the Carefree Kids charity directly.  

Also based in Elphinstone, they provide services that help parents to overcome issues caused by poverty and social exclusion, including a toy library, bursary scheme and East Lothian School Uniform Bank. 

Donations of new or nearly new school uniform items, winter jackets and footwear can be made to the Carefree Kids' offices on Elphinstone Road. 

Financial contributions help the charity to purchase clothes directly, which can be made via cheque, bank transfer, supermarket gift cards and purchasing through their Amazon wish list, found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/39BWYSSUXF574/ref=cm_go_nav_hz