Charity is appealing to people living and working in Edinburgh to donate or buy items from its wish list

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank has launched a campaign to keep more children across the city warm and in school this winter.

According to the Edinburgh Poverty Commission, in 2025, 12,000 families across Edinburgh are experiencing destitution – meaning that they are going without essentials such as clothing, food, shelter, heat, light and toiletries.

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank (ESUB)’s Winter Warmers campaign provides coats, gloves, socks, warm leggings and joggers to primary and secondary school children with the greatest need across Edinburgh.

The charity is appealing to people living and working in the city to donate funds or buy items from its wish list to support its campaign.

ESUB chair Margaret Civval said: “Thousands of children across the city are experiencing extreme poverty. Families are unable to afford warm winter clothing which for many can mean getting soaked to the skin on the way to school and having feet that are so cold that they turn purple. Trainers with holes in are useless in the Scottish winter, especially when you have no socks.

“At ESUB we believe that all children deserve access to good quality, warm clothing to help them stay in school over the colder months.

“We work closely with schools and pupils to ensure we provide exactly what they need when they need it. We hear regularly from teachers and support workers that giving children the clothing items they need has a positive impact on children’s school attendance and wellbeing

“Today we’re asking people across Edinburgh to donate to our Winter Warmers campaign and make a difference to a local child this winter.”

A donation of £35 can provide a good quality winter coat for a local primary-aged child this winter. The charity is appealing for donations of any amount from individuals, community groups, and businesses.

For more information about how to donate to Edinburgh School Uniform Bank’s Winter Warmers campaign visit https://edinburghuniform.org/donate/