Wacky Warehouse supports out of pocket parents with uniforms

Wacky Warehouse, located in Wootton Bassett, has relaunched its school uniform donation scheme for a second successive year due to national demand.

Almost half of UK parents will struggle to pay for their child’s school uniform amid the cost of living crisis, with the average family spending more than £160 a year on uniform per child.

Wacky Warehouse are inviting parents and guardians to donate any unused or pre-loved school uniform over the summer months ahead of the new school year.

As part of Wacky Warehouse’s scheme, items including blazers, shirts, trousers, skirts, and lots more, will be collected through and donated to local partner charities or schools nominated by each site.

To represent the size of the issue, and significant struggles of parents and guardians across the UK, the brand has created a giant mural of a child in school uniform, made from hundreds of kid’s uniform pieces that will form the first donation at Wacky Warehouse’s ‘Donation Stations’ across the nation.

The 15-foot mural is featured alongside Daniel Arsham’s artwork Bronze Eroded Bunny at the iconic Yorkshire Sculpture Park, made from uniform items of various sizes, which will all be donated as a means of kickstarting the national drive heading into the summer holidays. 

As part of the initiative, Wacky Warehouse has partnered with B&M to launch a competition, giving families who donate their unused uniforms the chance to win some fantastic prizes for their children’s school. 

B&M will offer a £1,000 gift voucher for the winning school, alongside a £250 gift voucher for second place and a £100 gift voucher for third place to spend on school essentials, such as breakfast foods, stationery, and sporting equipment. 

To enter, simply visit the Wacky Warehouse website or scan the QR code at any donation station and click the link. This competition will be running for the duration of donation window. 

Sam Simpson, Marketing Manager at Wacky Warehouse, said: “We’re at the heart of dozens of communities nationwide and take huge pride in supporting our customers.

“We also know how difficult it can be to afford school uniform and the back to school season, especially in the current economic climate amid the ongoing cost of living crisis. 

“That’s why we’re delighted to relaunch our school uniform donation scheme for the second year running, following its huge success in 2023, when we saw 69 pubs collect thousands of items of uniform for those in need.

“To donate, simply head to your local Wacky Warehouse and drop your unused or pre-loved uniforms at the designated donation stations and we’ll take care of the rest”

Sarah Cubells, Brand and PR Team Leader at B&M said: “B&M are delighted to partner with the Wacky Warehouse for such an amazing cause that is very close to our hearts. 

“We believe that every child should have access to the school uniform for a happy and successful school year. We are delighted to be able to offer prizes for this competition and support such an incredible campaign and hope that it helps the schools involved continue the fantastic work that they do.”

To donate, simply take your pre-loved school uniform to your nearest Wacky Warehouse (the closest to Swindon is located at The Churchill in Wootton Bassett) and drop it in the designated donation station between 3 June and 2 September.

For more about the Wacky Warehouse school uniform donation scheme and to view participating sites, visit: https://www.wackywarehouse.co.uk/uniform