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New School Uniform for Kenyan Kids

Over a tonne of uniform has been donated to Kyamutwoi School in Africa by pupils of Dame Alice Harpur and Bedford High School, ahead of their schools' merger to become Bedford Girls' School in September.

Before the last bell rang for summer on Friday, the girls changed into mufti and packed up their old school uniform into special recycling bags provided by Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). SATCoL operates the official Salvation Army Clothing Collection Scheme which usually runs clothing banks and door-to-door collections across the UK, however on this occasion SATCoL teamed up with the two schools to help promote awareness of the importance of textile recycling and its impact on the environment to pupils.

Estimates show that over a tonne of clothing was collected, and it is now on its way to be re-used in a Kenyan school in Kyamutwoi - a small rural community approximately 80km east of Nairobi.

Talking about her decision to give the girls the chance to donate their unwanted clothing to charity Headmistress Jo MacKenzie, said: "For many girls, their uniform symbolises special memories of their time spent at school, therefore it's a privilege for them to know that their contribution will make a real difference to other school children, while cutting down on unnecessary environmental waste.

"We've worked hard to re-use and recycle what we can and I must give special thanks to Dame Alice's 'Green Society' who've worked tirelessly implementing a range of initiatives over the last few years to improve the School's carbon footprint. Just two weeks ago we were awarded the coveted 'Green Flag Status' by external inspection body 'Eco-Schools' in recognition of our work to make sustainable development part of the life and ethos of our school."

Paul Ozanne, National Recycling Coordinator for Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) said: "It's wonderful to highlight the benefits of textile recycling to children at a young age. It can often get overlooked when we think about recycling; many people regularly recycle their bottles, cans and newspapers but textiles are actually the country's fastest growing household waste stream, so we need to do more to stop our old clothes ending up in landfill. It's been a pleasure working with pupils of Dame Alice Harpur and Bedford High School and we'd like to thank everyone involved for their continuing generosity."