As we enter the summer break, the new school year approaches bring a new set of challenges for families living in financial hardship. While kids are excited about lesson free days with their friends, countless parents across the UK and in our industry are already feeling stressed and worried about back-to-school costs.

Uniforms, tablets, bus passes, after school care – each item on the back-to-school checklist represents another financial hurdle for parents already struggling to make ends meet.

Parents like, *Sarah* a sales assistant at a high street clothes shop and mum of two growing kids. For *Sarah* and many parents like her, the financial strain of back-to-school costs is not merely a huge pressure on the family; it's a barrier to her mental wellbeing too.

Like any Mum, she wants the best start for her children, but it becomes increasingly more stressful as she adds more debt to her already maxed out credit. 

Having enough money saved up ready to buy school uniforms or fund a school trip would be a game-changer. But for parents like Sarah who are living from month to month, this just isn’t possible.

Yet, amidst the challenges, there is help available from THE dedicated trade charity for the fashion and textile industry, the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust.

We cannot ignore the harsh reality that some children are left behind due to economic challenges. Through our grants, we want to create a world where every child has access to everything they need to thrive in school, and give hard working parents in our industry the help they need, during the most challenging times.

Join us in rewriting the story of back-to-school season for families like Sarah's. Donate and support our campaign today.

Together, we can make a difference in our industry, one family at a time.