Old uniforms begin new life

PTA treasurer Lesley Munro helps sort out the discarded school uniforms for shipment overseas. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Students from Rangitoto College are putting their old uniforms to good use by sending them to the likes of Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Tibet.

The school is introducing a new uniform this year, and students were asked to bring their old ones in to be reused instead of discarding them.

Light clothing - including shirts, skirts and shorts - is being sent to villages in Vanuatu.

Warmer clothing will be distributed to disadvantaged families around the country, through children's charity KidsCan, while other items including woollen socks and jerseys are being sent to orphanages in Tibet, through an initiative with neighbouring Bayswater Primary School.

Clothing will also go to Papua New Guinea and to the Doonans Cleaning Rags company, which makes recycled cleaning rags.

This week, staff, parents and students of the Mairangi Bay college were busy packing and labelling boxes of old uniforms ready to be shipped.

Parent Teacher Association treasurer Lesley Munro said the idea came about after she and her husband travelled to Vanuatu last year.

Despite the little villagers had, their hospitality struck a chord and the visitors wanted to give something back.

"We thought these guys could use some of the shorts and the T-shirts that are going to be [discarded]."

Mrs Munro said the school was happy to be able to help others, but also happy to be teaching students a lesson in giving.

She said it was still looking for help and sponsorship to transport the boxes to Vanuatu.

For more information contact Rangitoto College, (09) 477-0150.