Demand for Wirral school uniform bank ‘has never been higher’

“We have people who, in the posh schools, their uniform is actually more expensive than anyone else’s so it really helps them if we can give stuff away,” she said.

One mother-of-four at the charity’s Birkenhead hub said: “It’s really helpful, it means that I can give the children days out and things like that rather than spend it on the uniform.

“It’d take a huge cut out of my budget, especially during summer holidays because they never stop eating.”

She gave examples including the cost of a pair of shoes for a primary school-aged child at around £50, a pack of shirts around £20 and described spending £60 on a new blazer last year.

“When you add it all up it’s a lot of money and a lot of stress from the beginning of the summer holidays right to the end,” she said.

Viktoria, who moved to the UK from Kyiv in Ukraine, said the uniform bank was extremely helpful while her family settled into a new life.

“We have two children and we only moved here two months ago, and now in my family only my husband works,” she said.

“It is a big help.”