Everton in the Community has teamed up with one of the football club’s sponsors to distribute school uniforms to pupils from the most socially deprived areas across Liverpool city and region.

The club’s official tyre partner Davanti donated £10,000 which made it possible for more than 480 complete school uniforms to be given to children from the most disadvantaged wards across Merseyside, whose families have been hit hard financially by the long-term effects of the pandemic and struggle to provide uniforms for their children.

A child not having the correct uniform can adversely affect attendance, punctuality levels, attitude towards wanting to learn and self-confidence, and can often be the cause of bullying. Through this scheme, Everton’s official charity aims to tackle inequality in education and end this stigma.

Everton in the Community has worked with local authorities to identify the most deprived schools across the region and 240 school uniforms will be distributed to those in need during the current academic term to meet the immediate and urgent need, and a further 240 will be given out to those starting school in September 2021.

A child attending school more regularly can lead to a reduction in food poverty rates and fewer young people becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) whilst staying in education also increases employability status and continued access to the open provision to learn with support from Everton in the Community.

Sarah Atherton, Everton in the Community Neighbourhood Manager, said: “The provision of school uniforms from Davanti will provide a life changing impact to the beneficiaries across Liverpool City Region.

“Covid-19 has proven to have some significant impacts on our families and being able to provide uniforms to those suffering from poverty will alleviate any schooling financial concerns.

“Allowing a young person to access education through the provision of a uniform has several personal development impacts, as well as education and attainment level boosts and boosting a young person’s confidence and self-esteem. This is an exciting partnership which will create lasting impact to almost 500 families across Merseyside. I would also like to thank Morrison’s supermarket for kindly offering us a discount on these uniforms, enabling us to support more children in need.”

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