Darlington Schools Clothes Scheme is calling for winter clothes donations amid unprecedented demand.

The shop, in Queen's Street Arcade, is running low on winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves.

Volunteers have seen a steady increase in demand since 2020 when the scheme was launched.

Due to the cost of living crisis families are struggling more than ever and donations are needed to match that demand.

The Northern Echo: Darlington School Uniform Scheme

Kay Sandham, a volunteer since 2020, described how relieved parents were when they found the free uniform shop.

She said: "We are here for everybody. You bring your old stuff and leave with freshly laundered new clothes ready to go.

"When we first started we were downstairs in the Dolphin Centre. We trialled ordering things online but too often people didn't turn up to collect their items.

"We decided that the best thing we could do was to have a shop.

"There are more and more people coming and lots of people come back again.

"Sometimes we just provide a short term fix for people."

Chelsea Johnson, one of the founders, explained that as it gets colder more and more families would need winter clothing.

She said: "Gloves are almost all gone at the moment. 

"We're missing certain sizes of coat entirely and as it gets colder more and more people will be coming in for them.

"It's not nice having to turn people away when we can't help."

Lynn Sharkey, who started volunteering in August, described the relief that parents felt when they discovered that everything is free.

The Northern Echo: Darlington School Uniform Scheme

She said: "It can be a huge weight off parent's shoulders. Everything in this shop is laundered and cared for.

"It's all been washed so that it can be an instant fix. Most people that come here are so grateful.

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"Last year we gave out 10,000 items."

The volunteers wanted to highlight how vital In A Spin on North Road is for the scheme.

They provide their service at a discounted rate without which it would be impossible to provide the same level of service.