Students at the Cumnock Academy are being asked to give their old school uniforms and unwanted clothes into staff at the academy in order to stem the tide of fast fashion and give clothes to those who need them.

Students at the academy who are needing uniform or new clothes because they’re having difficulties financially to buy them themselves will be able to browse the collection and take items home to keep, free of charge.

The initiative has only just begun and staff are still awaiting the first donations, but they are hopeful the collection will be a success. The scheme is part of the academy’s ‘regifting’ drive and was posted on their Twitter page using the ‘GrownOutNotWornOut’ hashtag. The Tweet read:

“Flowers bloom, trees bud, shoots sprout, teenagers grow. Please gift secondary age clothes in decent condition - save the environment and money!”

A spokesperson from the academy said:

“We are hoping that enough is donated that it can become sustainable and permanent. The clothes will be hung on hangers on a clothes rail in the meeting room that Pupil Support Principal Teachers use to talk to families. Like the surplus food initiative we already have, the clothes will be available at no cost to those who wish to use them.

“Anything from outgrown school shirts to prom dresses would be acceptable as long as they were able to be worn by the next person. We wouldn’t be able to accept anything that needed mending. It’s about saving the environment and to help families save money.”