AN APPEAL has been issued for a handyman to install shelving at the Octagon so a new clothing service for parents can be launched.
Trustees at the charity have decided to use the Brookfarm Drive centre to host the Malvern Children’s Clothing and Footwear Exchange, a scheme which will allow parents to swap their unwanted or outgrown children’s clothes and shoes for free.
An upper floor at the Octagon has been designated for the service and now all it needs to get off the ground is someone to put up the shelves which will store all of the clothing stock.
Trustee Martin Lawrence said he did not want people to think of it as a clothing version of a foodbank where people had to be referred, and assured parents the exchange would be far simpler and more accessible.
He said: “Its not about poverty, it’s about common sense. A lot of people have items they no longer want which could be used by others and they are willing to drop them into the exchange.
“Many may wish to swap clothes or shoes for larger sizes. Parents who will benefit aren’t necessarily those suffering from hardship, they are just sensible people.”
There will be two sewing machines for parents and volunteers to carry out on the spot repairs and members of the Octagon’s Knit and Natter as well as crochet groups will be on hand to provide help and advice.
Martin added: “The Octagon has a really good community atmosphere. We now just need a clever pair of hands to turn the wood I have collected into shelving and then we can launch an appeal for shoes and clothing.”
Anyone able to help has been urged to e-mail [email protected] or call 07505 053175.
