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Featherstone Uniform Bank is not only helping local families in need with school uniforms and equipment – but is also supporting the community with gifts for children over the festive season.

Hayley Millward, who opened the uniform bank in September 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to help out families that were struggling to kit out their kids with uniforms, started a ‘Secret Santa’ appeal after seeing how people were also facing difficulties over Christmas.

"I’d seen a similar idea in Knottingley, so I wanted to try and help out in a similar way in Featherstone. Since me and the other volunteers started the Secret Santa, We’ve gone from strength to strength and have more people knowing about us – but we’ve also unfortunately seen an increase in people needing our help,” she said.

"This year alone we’ve given out gifts to kids ranging from toddlers to 16 year olds. We had enough donated this year to give out five gifts per kid, as well as chocolate for them too. We also had enough chocolate to give large amounts to food banks as well. It’s nice to see that even in a cost of living crisis people can still come together and help others”.

Hayley Millward, of Featherstone Uniform Bank, began her charity work after working as a teacher and seeing some families struggle to afford uniforms for their children

Several parents have reached out to Hayley to show their gratitude, with some saying that the Secret Santa help has “taken a massive weight of guilt off our shoulders. We can’t thank you enough”, and another parent saying that the gift giving has “probably made so many families day”.

Hayley is glad that the word is getting out there, and believes that by raising awareness of the work her and her volunteers do, she can help more people.

“We have more people donating than ever, even when things are tough for anyone. We’ve been able to help so many people and I’m so thankful for all the support we’ve had – hopefully we can reach more people and help as many that need it”.

For anyone interested in Hayley and her work, seeing how you can help or just after more information, please visit; Sharing is Caring Featherstone Uniform Bank | Pontefract | Facebook

How Featherstone Uniform Bank is helping the community over the Christmas break - thanks to 'Secret Santa' gifts appeal