Overwhelming response to clothing request leads to set up of local collection point

A request for clothing for a Knowle West family received such overwhelming community response – a collection point has now been set up to distribute items to local schools.

The Knowle West Alliance COVID Support Hub was first approached at the end of April by Ilminster Avenue E-Act Academy – asking for help to provide clothing and shoes for the children of one of their families.

Chief Executive of Knowle West Health Park and Alliance Chair, Heather Williams, passed the request on – and it was posted on the Alliance Facebook page – where it reached 2,663 people.

In just under a week, the partnership was overwhelmed by donations – including money – which were dropped off at Knowle West Media Centre in Leinster Avenue.

This has now been set up as a permanent collection point to help other struggling families in the area.

Heather says: “….The need was met so quickly and it was realised that there are many people in need and so many people who want to help, which led to the birth of the drop off point for future donations. Community response, once again, has been brilliant.”

Alliance resident member, Gail Bevan, who works at KWMC says: “…We knew the ages, sex of the children and clothing and shoe sizes. We had donations of clothes and money which was split between the children and bought them outfits and shoes which were dropped off at the school.

“We were overwhelmed by the response from the community and have now been asked to help another family at Oasis Connaught…”

The Alliance has recently created a flyer for its Facebook page asking people to drop unwanted children’s clothing and shoes in good condition to KWMC – to be given to schools across Knowle West which have asked for help.

This is not the first request the Alliance has had; other items donated by the community over the past year have included furniture, white goods – such as washing machines and fridges – and dog food.

Learning Mentor at Ilminster E-Act Academy, Claire Peters, who first made the request says: “Knowle West Alliance have such a valuable place in the community, providing so much for our families.  The support they have provided to a large number of our families has been life changing. We are so grateful to the team.”

Clothing and shoes for children and teenagers aged three to 16 can be dropped off at KWMC in Leinster Avenue (next to Jarman’s shops) during office hours. See details below.