Plans underway for School Uniform Swap Shop in Cnoc Fola

A school uniform swap shop will be held in Cnoc Fola following where families can come and reap the benefits from exchanging school uniforms. National and secondary schools from the surrounding areas will be available from the swap shop. The shop will also cater for all ages. The shop will be run by volunteers and will take place ahead of the busy and costly September back-to-school time. 

Treasa Gallagher of Coiste Chnoc Fola said that the event is currently being organised and that the swap shop will take place at the Ionad Pobail, on August 8 between 3.30pm and 5pm. She said that a few parents approached Coiste Chnoc Fola and suggested that a shop swap should be organised. 

Unique new school uniform swap shop comes to Castlefin

"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"

Last week, a uniform swap shop was run from St Mary’s Hall in Castlefin and it was hugely successful.  The soaring cost of living and with many families finding it difficult to make ends meet school uniform swap shops are a welcome initiative for families. 

At these shops, families can donate uniforms they no longer need and pick up uniforms that they do need. The idea for the swap shop in Castlefin was that of local Sinn Féin Councillor Gary Doherty and St Vincent de Paul's Noeleen Killen. 

Ms Killens said the cost of everything is so expensive and getting a uniform will help take the pressure off some families.  Cllr Doherty said that at this time of year people are under pressure with household bills.