Unique new school uniform swap shop comes to Castlefin 

A unique new school uniform swap shop was launched on Friday to assist families with the costs involved with sending children back to school.

Castlefin Uniform Swap Shop is a pop-up School Uniform Exchange where parents and children can donate all the school uniform items they no longer need and pick up items they do need, for no charge!

The novel idea is the brainchild of local Cllr Gary Doherty and St Vincent de Paul Branch president, Noeleen Killen. 

Outlining the thinking behind the idea, Cllr Doherty said the costs involved with sending children back to school is an added burden on families around this time of year, particularly given the current cost-of-living crisis.

"So we thought about what we could do to try and help ease this burden for families and we came up with the Uniform Swap Shop!

"The idea is that parents and children will donate uniform items that they no longer need either due to the item being too small or the child has moved school etc. All the donated items will then be sorted by size and school and displayed in St. Mary's Hall on Sunday, July 30 between 12 noon and 3pm and everyone is welcome to come along and browse and take home any items they need. 

"There will be no charge for entry to the swap shop or for taking items home. Everything is free on the day! All we ask is that customers consider making a small donation to the local St Vincent de Paul, but this is entirely voluntary.

Noeleen continued: "We will be collecting donations of all school uniform items for all of the schools in the locality, both primary and secondary. Our only request is that any item that is donated is still wearable.

"On the day we will have refreshments and live music from some of the great local talent that we have in the Finn Valley. Everyone is welcome to attend and we are hoping that it will be a fun day and that it will help in some small way to ease the financial burden on parents at this time of year."

Uniform donations for the Swap Shop can be dropped into the Thrift Shop in Castlefin from now until Friday, July 28. St Mary's Hall will also be open for donations from 2pm-4pm on Saturday, July 29 with the main event on Sunday, July 30 from 12 noon to 3pm.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering in any capacity is asked to make contact with the Facebook page below or e-mail:castlefinuniformshop@gmail.com 

The Swap Shop Facebook Page is available at facebook.com/castlefinuniformshop