Free school uniforms returned to Westport Family Resource Centre after attempted sale

SCHOOL uniforms which were given out for free before being advertised for sale online have been returned.

Westport Family and Community Resource Centre, who gave out school uniforms as part of their second annual School Uniform Bank, described the attempted sale as ‘disgraceful’.

One-hundred-and-sixty-seven people availed of The School Uniform Bank when it ran for the first time in 2022, with demand far exceeding expectation.

The family resource centre raised the alarm publicly when one of their workers spotted uniforms which had been donated to them posted for sale on a Facebook buy-and-sell group.

Speaking to Mayo Live this afternoon (Thursday), Lynda McNulty, Project Administrator for the Westport Uniform Bank, said that the items were posted on several different buy-and-sell Facebook groups.

Ms McNulty said the individual who tried to sell the items took them from the centre without measuring for sizes.

The individual left a voluntary donation of ‘a few coins’ before leaving the premises.

The items were advertised on Facebook the following day for €15.

The individual returned the items yesterday (Wednesday July 13) following a public outcry on social media.

Some of the items which were advertised for sale have since been collected from the family resource centre by other individuals.

A recent Facebook post from Wesport Family & Community Resource Centre

“We had a waiting list so that’s positive. It’s kind of brought attention to the project, which is positive as well. Hopefully we’ll get a few more donations on the last day,” said Ms McNulty, who went on to thank the public for their generosity.

“In general, everyone has been brilliant. We’re getting loads of donations. The people collecting have been lovely as well and we’ve got great volunteers and everything. So overall it’s been really positive.”

Mayo Live understands that the individual who tried to sell the uniforms has been banned from other Facebook buy-and-sell groups.

Ms McNulty added that people coming to the School Uniform Bank were also doing so for environmental reasons.

“Not everybody that comes for uniforms is doing it just for the cost. They’re doing it for environmental reasons to try and reduce textile waste and all that,” said Ms McNulty.

The School Uniform Bank continues taking donations until today (Thursday July 13).

Donations for all primary and secondary school uniforms in the Westport, Louisburgh, Newport and surrounding areas welcomed. The centre is located on The Fairgreen, between The Mayo News and Toby’s Bar. All left over uniforms will be donated to the Curiosity Shop in Westport. 

For more information telephone 098 24419 or email admin@westportfrc.ie.