Mount Aspiring College’s second -hand uniform store was opened about three years ago by a group of innovative parents who thought there was a need in the community.
This led to the training of Friends of Mac, a group dedicated to helping to raise funds for school
Its first goal is to build an adventure playground on the campus, which was estimated at about $ 90,000.
The second -hand uniform store has been one of the main aspects of the back collection event, which has now accumulated between $ 70,000 and $ 80,000.
Jo Kitto, who helped start the store, said he was impressed by the demand and support the group had seen.
“It surprises us every time,” she said.
“We literally have people queue by the door ready to enter”
It attributed this growth in demand to many reasons, the first being the high price of uniforms that were often overcome or too used by students, she said.
With the cost of living in Wanaka increasing, more families were struggling to survive and save on uniform costs was a way to relieve financial stress.
It was also a way to recycle clothes during a time when parents and students were becoming more aware of the environmental impacts of fast fashion.
“It’s expensive to buy a new uniform.
“But I also love to recycle … So it’s not just about filling out a need or fundraising; it is also slowing fashion and recycling.”
This has made second-hand uniforms a norm now, and students are proud to use them.
Uniforms in the second hand store are sold in half or a third of the original price, depending on the piece
The school accepts uniform donations, which are repaired and washed by a team of volunteers.
The fundraising team is seeking to promote their resource funding efforts to achieve their goal before starting to work on the playground and start looking for new resource raising opportunities.
