From the very beginning, their enthusiasm and commitment shone through, but none of us could have predicted just how successful this partnership would become. Over the course of their captaincy year, they raised a truly remarkable £56,137 to support local children and families.

Here’s the story of how they made it happen.

A partnership built close to home

David and Susie already knew about Stripey Stork through previous Ladies’ Captain Claire Brown, who chose us as the club’s charity partner in 2021/22. That earlier connection left a lasting impression.

In their announcement to club members last April, David and Susie explained why supporting a local charity mattered so much:

“Supporting a charity right on our doorstep means even more to our members because they can have the opportunity to get involved, see the impact firsthand and help spread the word about the vital work you do.”

When David and Susie first visited our Reigate warehouse, our van was parked outside unloading after a busy day of deliveries. It felt fitting somehow because that van quickly became the symbol of the partnership and the focus for the year’s fundraising efforts.

At the partnership launch event in April 2025, Stripey Stork CEO Nicola shared why the van matters so much:

The van is so much more than a vehicle. It’s become the heart of our operation, delivering donations to local families who have nowhere else to turn. With your help, we want to keep that van on the road for the whole year, making sure it can reach every family who needs us.

She also shared the story of a mum referred to us by Epsom & St Helier Hospital who arrived to give birth with nothing for her baby and a toddler who was sharing her bed. We pulled together everything they needed – a full newborn pack, a toddler bed, clothes and toys (items all donated by generous local families) – and delivered it the very next day. The hospital told us that without this support, the children might have been taken into care. Instead, they were able to make a fresh start as a family, with the right help around them.

These are the families we help. And these are the families we ask you to hold in mind when you’re fundraising.

Celebrating 130 years of Reigate Heath Golf Club

2025 also marked an incredible milestone for Reigate Heath Golf Club as the club celebrated its 130th anniversary. From brilliant golf throughout the celebrations to a truly special Gala Dinner in June, it was a fitting tribute to the club’s rich history, traditions and strong sense of community.

As part of the Gala Dinner, members and guests took part in a silent auction featuring some fantastic prizes, including 36 holes, lunch at The Wisley and a two weeks stay at holiday home in Lymington, helping raise even more money in support of Stripey Stork.

Reigate Heath Golf Club Golfers in Stripes

Also in June, Reigate Heath got involved in our annual Stripes4Stripey campaign, our biggest community fundraising event of the year.

The day ended with the much-loved Stripes4Stripey Quiz Night, where Reigate Heath entered a team. While they may not have taken home the trophy, they more than made up for it with their generosity and enthusiasm.

Two captains, two huge challenges

August saw both captains take on extraordinary personal fundraising challenges.

David cycled an astonishing 1,000km from the world-famous St Andrews Links to Reigate Heath Golf Club in just over a week. Along the way he tackled steep climbs, unpredictable weather, breath-taking scenery and even a puncture or two, all while raising money for Stripey Stork.

Meanwhile, Susie completed an incredible golfing challenge, playing 90 holes in just five days across ten different golf clubs. From stunning fairways to the infamous Cardiac Hill, she embraced every moment of the challenge.

With both captains, and David’s cycling partner Keith, safely returned to base, celebrations at the club got underway with a Texas Scramble, BBQ and raffle, raising even more money for Stripey Stork.

You can read more about their challenges here: Reigate Heath Golf Club Captains’ Challenges

Reigate Heath Golf Club Captain’s Day

September brought Captain’s Day, a fantastic day of golf, fundraising and community spirit. Alongside the golf itself, members took part in an exciting auction featuring an incredible range of prizes, including a holiday stay, a Shark robot vacuum cleaner and vouchers for rounds of golf at some of the most prestigious courses in England.

But the standout item of the day was something truly special: a Masters flag brought back from Augusta by club member Phil, beautifully framed alongside photographs and a scorecard. Thanks to a contact of Stripey Stork’s Sarah, the flag was made even more valuable with the addition of Rory McIlroy’s signature – a signature only previous Masters winners are allowed to place in the centre of the flag.

Although the reserve price was set at £1,000, members were determined to keep the flag in the clubhouse. In true Reigate Heath style, 52 members each donated, raising £3,315 in total while ensuring the flag stayed at the club.

Bringing Christmas cheer to local children

The festive season brought even more support from the club community.

Members joined us at our Christmas Quiz Night, and David arrived carrying two huge bags filled with brand-new toys for children supported by Stripey Stork.

Club members were also invited to donate new Lego sets beneath the clubhouse Christmas tree, a simple idea that brought in a wonderful collection of gifts for local children.

Evenings of stories, laughter and fundraising

In February, the men’s charity dinner welcomed a packed room of members and guests for an evening of fundraising and entertainment.

The event was hosted by Jamie Weir from Sky Sports and featured guest speaker Harry Redknapp, whose stories and humour helped make it a memorable night while adding even more to the fundraising total.

And the ladies members supported Susie by joining her for fundraising Bridge Nights and Wine Tasting Evenings.

Fundraising Throughout the Year

Alongside these headline events, fundraising was woven into club life all year long.

From the “Captains’ Cocktail”, where £1 from each sale was donated, to raffles, sweepstakes and even playful on-course “fines”, members embraced every opportunity to support Stripey Stork.

One particularly memorable fundraiser involved a very expensive bottle of whisky donated to the club, with David organising a special raffle just for the prize.

Every initiative, big or small, contributed to the extraordinary final total.

Ending the year with the big reveal

David and Susie rounded off their captaincy year with a celebration event at the club in March.

After a day of golf, members celebrated in style with live music from The Incinerators before David and Susie presented us with an incredible cheque for £56,137.

It was a truly emotional moment and a testament to the generosity, creativity and commitment shown by the entire Reigate Heath community throughout the year.

A Genuine Partnership

Reflecting on the year, David said:

We chose Stripey Stork as our charity partner for a number of reasons. Firstly, what they do is transformative and our contributions can make a real difference. Secondly, because they are local it means we are supporting our own community. And thirdly because we know they are a joy to work with, this being the second time Captains of Reigate Heath have chosen to support them.

They are always hugely enthusiastic and supportive in the planning and delivery stages of our fundraising activities, and they really engage with our members at the key events. There is no doubt that the success of our fundraising this year is down to a genuine partnership.

And Susie added:

It’s been a privilege to work with Nicola, Sarah and the team throughout the fundraising challenges and to help support the running costs of the van. It’s been great fun, hugely rewarding and is reflected in the incredible generosity and support shown by the club members and staff throughout the year.

A final word of thanks

To David, Susie and everyone at Reigate Heath Golf Club – thank you. Your outstanding support will make a lasting and profound difference to local children and families, and we are so grateful to have shared this journey with you.

Sarah, Corporate Fundraising Manger at Stripey Stork says:

Working with David and Susie over the past year has been an absolute joy from start to finish. Their energy, creativity and genuine passion for supporting local families has been incredible to see, and the support from everyone at Reigate Heath Golf Club has completely blown us away.

To raise an astonishing £56,137 is simply phenomenal. This funding will make a huge difference to Stripey Stork and will help keep our van on the road, delivering essential items to local children and families who need support the most. Every mile that van travels represents a family receiving practical help and hope at a difficult time, and that simply wouldn’t be possible without partnerships like this one.

We’re so grateful to David, Susie, the club members and staff for embracing Stripey Stork so wholeheartedly and making us feel part of the Reigate Heath community throughout the year.

If your club, company or community group is looking for a charity partner, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at partnerships@stripeystork.org.uk.

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Alongside our regular volunteers and corporate volunteering groups, we’re also incredibly grateful for the many people who choose to use their employer volunteering or CSR days, annual leave or regular days off to spend time with us. Whether they join us for a one-off session or return regularly throughout the year, every hour given helps us reach more families who need support.

We spoke to four volunteers who balance work and volunteering in different ways. Here, they share what inspired them to join Stripey Stork and why giving their time has become such an important part of their lives.

Jennifer: Using volunteering days to support local families

Jennifer works for WSP and has been volunteering with Stripey Stork for the past two and a half years. Her employer offers two CSR volunteering days each year, which she usually uses in December to support us during one of its busiest periods.

Jennifer says:

“My oldest school friend works at Stripey Stork and introduced me to the work they do. As a solo parent myself, I understand the expense associated with raising a child and I really value the environmental and sustainability ethos behind the charity. I love that well-loved items are given new homes with local families who really need them.

Over the years I’ve helped with everything from clothes sorting and making up bundles to cleaning toys and preparing Christmas gift bags. I particularly enjoyed putting together the Christmas packages – there’s something really special about preparing gifts for children who might otherwise go without at that time of year.

There have also been opportunities for my workplace to support Stripey Stork beyond volunteering. Last year, Stripey Stork received a Summer Legacy Grant from WSP for £2,500, which helped fund mattresses as part of the charity’s safer sleep campaign.

I really look forward to my volunteer days at Stripey Stork. It’s always a welcome break from the stress of office life and volunteering really helps put things into perspective when you see the extent of need within your own local area. The endless cups of tea and biscuits are also a treat in themselves!”

Rosanna: Using workplace volunteering days throughout the year

Rosanna works for Edrington and has been volunteering with Stripey Stork for the past three years. Her employer gives her four CSR volunteering days each year, which she splits into eight half-days so she can help regularly across the year.

Rosanna says:

“My company ethos is to give more, and that really inspired me to get involved. I previously volunteered at a baby bank in Glasgow with some colleagues and was struck by the scale of need. I was deeply moved by some of the stories behind the packages we were putting together, which led me to look for a local charity—this is when I found Stripey Stork.

I’ve helped with a wide range of tasks. I’ve become quite skilled at assembling stair gates, making sure they have all the correct parts and are properly labelled. I’ve also sorted school uniforms and put together clothing packs for children of different ages. It’s lovely choosing outfits you think a child will enjoy, and adding a toy or a book.

Being able to volunteer means a lot to me. I really value the opportunity to give back, meet other local volunteers, and spend time with all the wonderful people who work at Stripey Stork”

Nadeem: Making the most of CSR volunteering days

Nadeem works for Cisco and first discovered Stripey Stork through a lunch and learn session at work. Since then, he has volunteered both as part of corporate group days with his colleagues and independently.

Nadeem says:

“We get ten days to volunteer each year, which is fantastic. Stripey Stork has become one of the main charities I always want to come back to. What I really like is the flexibility. I can join a corporate volunteering day with colleagues, but I can also sign up individually and volunteer alongside the regular Stripey Stork team using my CSR volunteering days

I’ve done a huge variety of tasks – sorting donations, organising stock, moving deliveries, cleaning baby baths and pushchairs and learning new skills like putting together stairgates and Moses baskets.

My employer also donates £7 for every volunteering hour and matches employee donations through Benevity. In a time of growing need, even small contributions from individuals and companies can make a real difference.

Volunteering at Stripey Stork feels purposeful. It reminds you that hardship exists everywhere, even in places people may not expect, and it helps you appreciate what many of us take for granted. I also love that Stripey Stork helps people start volunteering if they’re not sure where to begin. The team are always so welcoming and supportive and their positivity really rubs off on you.”

Juliet: Volunteering on a regular day off

Juliet works a four-day week, which means she has Fridays free. She uses some of that time to volunteer at Stripey Stork and aims to come in every other Friday. She has been volunteering since January last year.

Juliet says:

“My first connection with Stripey Stork came through a local friend and through earlier fundraising that supported the charity. Later, I suggested Stripey Stork as an option for one of my workplace volunteering days. Visiting the warehouse for the first time with colleagues really made an impact on me. It was such a positive, hands-on experience and I could immediately see the value of the work being done.

That experience inspired me to continue volunteering independently. It feels like such a simple way to give a bit of time while making a meaningful difference.

I usually help with sorting clothes, which I really enjoy. There’s something very satisfying about organising items, preparing packs and knowing they’ll go directly to people who need them. I also really value meeting the other volunteers – everyone is so friendly and welcoming.

Volunteering at Stripey Stork means a lot to me. It’s a grounding experience and a reminder of how important it is to support one another. None of us know what the future holds and it’s reassuring to know there are compassionate, community-driven support systems like Stripey Stork in place for people who need them. It’s something I feel genuinely proud to be part of.”

However You Volunteer, It Matters

Jennifer, Rosanna, Nadeem and Juliet all give their time in different ways – through CSR days, regular days off, or ad hoc sessions when they can. What they have in common is a desire to make a practical difference close to home.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you have enough time to volunteer, their stories show that there’s no single way to do it. Whether you can spare a few hours once a month or want to use workplace volunteering days, every contribution helps us to continue supporting local children and parents with the essentials they need for their children to thrive. visit our volunteering section on our website to see how you can get involved.

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“One particular item – a stylish bum bag – quickly became Leila’s favourite. It helped her feel confident and fashionable, while also providing a practical way to keep her glucose monitor close at hand. Each time she was visited afterwards, she proudly wore it.”

Leila*, aged 12, arrived in the UK with her parents after seeking asylum from Iran. Living in asylum accommodation, the family were adjusting to an unfamiliar environment while managing significant health and wellbeing challenges.

Leila lives with Type 1 Diabetes and uses a continuous glucose monitor to manage her condition. Alongside the practical demands of her health needs, Leila, aged 12, arrived in the UK with her parents after seeking asylum from Iran. Living in asylum accommodation, the family were adjusting to an unfamiliar environment while managing significant health and wellbeing challenges.

Leila lives with Type 1 Diabetes and uses a continuous glucose monitor to manage her condition. Alongside the practical demands of her health needs, the disruption of displacement and limited opportunities for everyday childhood activities began to affect her confidence and emotional wellbeing. She spent long periods indoors, with few personal belongings or activities to bring comfort or joy.

Working in partnership with Alliance for Better Care, we were able to provide vital support at a crucial time. Through the provision of high-quality, pre-loved clothes, toys and activity sets, Leila received age-appropriate items that reflected her interests and helped her feel more like herself. This support had an immediate and visible impact on her confidence and mood, playing an important role in improving her wellbeing during a period of uncertainty and transition. By restoring comfort, confidence and a sense of normality, it helped her feel valued, supported and cared for when it mattered most.

* Names changed to protect privacy.

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More than a gift bag

Our community, once again, came together by donating brand new toiletries and gifts, which helped us create our orange gift bags. Each mum receives one of these bags filled with carefully chosen pampering treats, along with a handwritten card. The bags also contained lovely extras such as notepads and pens, fluffy socks, and other small gifts to bring an extra touch of comfort and thoughtfulness. While the bag itself may be simple, the thought behind it carries real meaning. For those who receive one, it’s a rare moment where someone has thought just about them. The handwritten message adds a personal touch, reminding them that they are seen, appreciated and worthy of kindness.

This campaign is entirely driven by donations, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters we have been able to provide 733 gift bags to mums and female carers across Surrey and Croydon this year. Every bag is the result of a community coming together to help ensure more mums feel special on Mother’s Day.

For the mums and female carers who receive them, these small orange bags often mean far more than we might expect. They are a reminder that someone is thinking of them and that their role as a parent is recognised and appreciated. Feedback from West Thornton Primary School highlights just how meaningful these gifts can be. One parent shared,

I have never received a gift from my daughter. I feel so touched that I am able to have my first gift – it means so much to me.

Another said,

Thank you so much for the amazing wellness gift. I can’t believe I have received a gift from my son – I feel blessed.

For one mum, receiving a gift from her son was not only brought her some joy but was also something positive for her son to do.

I just wanted to get in touch to thank you for helping our son organise a Mother’s Day present for me. He was so proud to give me something on Sunday. It was a really special moment and wonderful to feel appreciated. Thank you so much for doing something so unexpectedly positivefor our family.

Messages like these show that something as simple as a small bag of pampering treats and a handwritten card can create a powerful moment of joy, helping parents feel valued and celebrated on Mother’s Day.

A community effort

Many supporters dropped off donations directly to our warehouse, bringing items along to their volunteering sessions, adding them to other donations or even making a special trip just to contribute to the campaign. Our Amazon Wish List proved again to be a convenient way for individuals to support the campaign. These individual acts of kindness all added up to something truly special.

We are also incredibly grateful to the many schools and nurseries that organised collections for us. A huge thank you to the parents and carers at Banstead Prep School, First Steps Nursery Merstham, Micklefield School Reigate, The Priory School Dorking, Powell Corderoy Primary School, and Reigate Parish Primary School, who together donated a fantastic number of items to help fill our gift bags.

Community groups also got involved. Thank you to the 5th Reigate Guides, Godstone Baptist Church and The Bookham Bees WI for their brilliant collections and for encouraging their members to support the campaign.

Support from local business and partners

Local businesses stepped up too. In Coulsdon, the window of Walter & Mair Estate Agents became something rather special. The team asked their local community to bring donations for our A Gift For Mum campaign to their office. In return, they would add the name of a mum or special person to their Mother’s Day window display. It was a simple but meaningful idea that brought the community together while supporting mums in our community.

Our friends at Celtic Contractors, long-time supporters of Stripey Stork, once again contributed some wonderful donations. Alligator Pear in Tadworth generously donated a large box of beautiful items for us to include.

The Surrey County Council’s Women’s Staff Network organised a collection at their offices as part of their International Women’s Day celebrations and dropped off a fantastic selection of items at our warehouse.

We were also delighted to receive fantastic support once again from two of our corporate partners. LNRS and Unum not only donated items but also used an in-house volunteering session to help pack 237 gift bags and handwrite cards, adding that extra special personal touch. Lactalis organised a collection at their office and donated several large bags of items, which were packed into gift bags ready to be delivered.

Our team always find this session very rewarding, knowing that the gift they carefully wrap or card they write will remind someone that they are seen and valued, when they might otherwise feel forgotten on Mother’s Day.

Tamsin Dixon, Community Relations Manager LNRS

Powered by volunteers

As always this campaign wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our volunteers. This campaign is always a team effort and our corporate volunteers have worked alongside our regular Team Stork volunteers to ensure that every bag was thoughtfully packed and ready for delivery.

Every donation, collection and act of support has helped make this campaign possible, ensuring that more mums and female carers receive a small reminder that they are valued and thought of.

Finally, we wish all the mums and female carers we support a very happy Mother’s Day.

The post Helping Mums Feel Celebrated This Mother’s Day appeared first on Stripey Stork.

Hollie first encountered Stripey Stork at a cost-of-living event run by a local family centre. There she was given two of our age-specific activity packs, made by our volunteer team, which are filled with a selection of games, stationery, crafts, self-care items and activities to keep young minds busy.

At the time, Hollie was a single parent to a primary-age son and a teenage daughter. Her daughter, who lives with ASD and anxiety, was out of school, learning at home and facing a long wait for a suitable school place. This meant Hollie was unable to work, and as they were at home together every day, she was facing increasing bills for heating and food. Hollie focused on supporting her daughter. Despite their efforts, being away from friends and peers was very isolating, so the young girl was delighted to find the activity pack we provided was full of many of the things she loves to do, which made her feel cared for, and understood. “It was like it was made for me!,” she told us.

Seeing what an impact this unexpected gift had on her daughter, Hollie reached out to us to let us know. She said that it was clear to her and to both of her children that the packs were made with love.

Their eyes lit up. They’d never had something given to them where it was so clear, someone had really thought about what THEY need.

For Hollie, it was also an unexpected lift

Like a random act of kindness that day. It was unexpected, I didn’t know there was a service that gave out things like that. It made me feel like… Yes, this is going to really help me.

Her younger son also enjoyed exploring his pack. He isn’t a fan of puzzles, so when he discovered one of those in the bag, he chose to pass that on to a neighbour who had been unwell and in and out of hospital recently. We loved hearing about his decision to ‘pay it forward’ with his own act of kindness.

As a result of Hollie reaching out, we were able to give her more information about support available from Stripey Stork, and how to access it. She had been worrying about the rising cost of living, and how it was going to affect her children, so it was a relief to know there are places she could turn for help with clothing and school supplies as her children grew.

I used to be able to keep a little money aside for emergencies,” she told us. “That doesn’t happen now. The gas and electric keep going off, and everything costs more. It’s so hard to find enough money for what the kids need.

It can be difficult to ask for help for your family, or to explain the extent of the challenges you are facing. Hollie told us

It’s especially hard in Surrey, because it’s thought of as quite an affluent area.

Recent evidence that child poverty is rising in some areas of Surrey shows that the impression of Surrey as an ‘affluent county’ is not the lived reality for many children and families. Our own work, and the stories we hear, confirm this.

It can be hard to know where to start to get help when you are not already receiving support from health or social care professionals. Our ‘get help’ page can help to explain the process.

After speaking to us, Hollie and her daughter offered to give some feedback on some of our teen packs, and our service. Shortly after that, she became a member of our advisory panel, using her lived experience to help us help others.

When I was offered the opportunity to join the Advisory Panel, I felt honoured. I already loved the organisation’s values and the way they genuinely help families.

In 2023, Hollie was with us when we welcomed presenter Charlotte Hawkins to our warehouse as part of the Baby Bank On Us campaign, and spoke openly about her experience in the national news.

Her journey then came full circle in 2024, when she went on to work for a parent wellbeing service, where she regularly referred families to Stripey Stork. She describes the experience of being able to help other parents.

It felt deeply important, to understand “it’s ok not be ok sometimes” and help remove shame that’s embedded in some families. I understood exactly what those families were going through because I had been there myself.

Today, as well as serving on our advisory panel, Hollie is part of the Domestic Abuse Surrey Expert by Experience Network (DA Seen), and through a referral to us, helped to support survivors with specially designed trauma care packs. She is completing her University degree, and volunteers with us regularly in the warehouse, making up bundles for children and families. Her daughter, now 17, comes in with her, and they are both enjoying being part of the team.

Coming into the warehouse to volunteer, with my daughter by my side, has been especially powerful. Seeing the love and care that goes into every referral shows how deeply Stripey Stork values families. It is not just about items, it is about dignity, compassion, and community.

We’re so grateful to Hollie and her family for sharing their experiences with us, encouraging other families to ask for help, and for helping us show the impact of the funding and donations provided by the community who support us, too.

Do you have a family feedback story to share? Get in touch with us by emailing communications@stripeystork.org.uk.

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But something children love and value so deeply can quietly become a source of pressure for parents.

When money is tight, a costume, however simple, is another cost to find. We hear from our referral partners about children who would rather stay off school than stand out because they don’t have a costume like everyone else. No child should feel excluded from a day that is meant to celebrate reading and belonging.

Costumes are not an ’essential’ like a cot or pram, and they are not a core part of our work, but because dressing-up items often arrive in donations alongside toys and clothes, we keep them. We store them carefully for moments like this, so that when a request comes in, we can respond.

And this is where our volunteer Lottie comes in.

Lottie has taken real care with our World Book Day packs. She doesn’t simply pull a costume from a box. She thoughtfully matches outfits with the right books, adds accessories wherever she can, and creates complete little story sets. Each pack feels considered and personal. It turns a donated costume into something special. Something that says to a child, you matter, and you deserve to take part.

That ability to be responsive and flexible and to meet needs as they arise is only possible because of Team Stork. Because of the donations we receive. Because of the volunteers who sort, store and prepare items with such care. Because our shelves are stocked, we can say yes when a referral partner gets in touch.

If you would like to support our work, the best place to start is our online wishlist. It is always up to date with the items families need most. From time to time, we will make specific seasonal call-outs, so do keep an eye on our social media channels.

Every donation helps us do what we do best: remove barriers, reduce stress, and make sure children can feel confident, included and ready to learn on World Book Day and every day.

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In this blog we highlight the partnership that we’ve built with Therfield school in Leatherhead. They first referred to us in March 2025 and since then we have supported 274 families with essential items, school uniform and Christmas presents. Over the past year this partnership has continued to grow, with students choosing to support Stripey Stork through their annual RAG week.

We asked a senior leader at Therfield School what this partnership means to them.

At Therfield School we are really proud of the relationship we have built with Stripey Stork since March 2025. When I first visited the Stripey Stork warehouse in Reigate I was absolutely blown away by the scale of the organisation and the wonderful things they were doing for the community.

We have since developed a brilliant partnership and we are really proud to have raised over £2500 for Stripey Stork through non-uniform days, our RAG week and our recent Battle of the Bands event. Stripey Stork have helped some of our most vulnerable families during some of their most challenging moments, including providing hygiene packs, clothing packs and winter warmer packs for families in need. Our students (and their mums!) absolutely loved the Mother’s Day gift bags we were able to provide them with, these were such high quality, full of beautiful luxury bath products, our students were really proud to be able to gift them. One of our mums said: I just wanted to pass on my enormous thanks for the kind and lovely gesture. The gifts were such a wonderful surprise and the card a really lovely touch. The wonderful products were items that I as a Mum wouldn’t ordinarily purchase for myself and were so gratefully received, I felt so very lucky.

The Christmas campaign, Santa Stork, was equally successful, we were able to provide high-quality gifts for some of our most disadvantaged students to take home, we supported them with wrapping them in school. It really meant a lot for them to be able to gift their brothers and sisters with presents they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford, whilst making sure they got something too! Stripey Stork have also provided all of our disadvantaged students with rucksacks full of stationery which have supported them with being prepared for school and eased the financial cost for families of replacing equipment or purchasing it in the first place.

Our partnership with Stripey Stork means that when something goes wrong for one of our families, or they are in need of a little bit more support, we have a clear pathway and a first port of call to go to for additional help. This isn’t something that we had previously – so we are extremely grateful for Stripey Stork’s work and the dedication of their workers and volunteers. Thank you, from the entire Therfield School community.

It’s incredibly encouraging to see young people developing an understanding of the challenges faced within their communities and choosing to take action to support them. The Sixth Form’s annual RAG week is a brilliant example of this in action. Through their creativity, energy and enthusiasm, students raised vital funds for Stripey Stork, helping us provide essential items to families facing hardship across Surrey and Croydon. Some of the highlights included a bake sale, the teacher lip sync battle, student talent show and the RAG concert.

Their fundraising makes a real and lasting difference, and we’re hugely grateful for their compassion, commitment and community spirit.

Could your school support us with fundraising events?

We’d love to hear from any schools interested in fundraising for Stripey Stork. Whether it’s a non-uniform day, a sponsored challenge, a RAG week or something completely different, your support helps us continue providing essential items to families across Surrey and Croydon. Every fundraiser, big or small, makes a real difference. Visit our website for details.

Are you a teacher or school staff, who wants to support students in hardship with practical items?

We provide practical support to families across Surrey and Croydon, helping them access essential items such as school uniforms, clothing, toiletries and equipment. Our aim is to make getting help simple and stress-free, ensuring families can focus on what matters most while we step in to provide the items they need, when they need them. As a member of staff you can easily make a referral to us on behalf of a family. Details on how to refer to us are on our website.

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For many children, not having the right uniform, shoes, backpack, stationery or PE kit can make school a daily challenge. It can mean standing out for the wrong reasons, missing out on activities or experiencing bullying and stigma. These are barriers no child should face.

We aim to removes those barriers. By providing the essentials, we help children feel like they belong, boost confidence in the classroom and allow them to focus on learning.

Increased support in 2025

As demand grew, we supported 7,503 children across 4,116 families. Our 2025 support included:

• 21,170 items of school uniform
• 2,567 filled school bags
• 3,648 pairs of school shoes/trainers

School uniform remains one of the most requested forms of support, helping children to attend school feeling included and ready to learn. This year, we provided:

• 3,538 polo shirts
• 3,971 pairs of trousers
• 2,479 skirts and pinafores
• 3,460 shirts
• over 1,000 jumpers

Each of our school bags is thoughtfully prepared and filled with the essentials children need, including a water bottle, notebook, pens and pencils, colouring supplies, highlighter pens, an eraser, ruler, pencil sharpeners, a pencil case and an activity or puzzle book. Secondary school bags also include a scientific calculator and maths set.

This year, we provided

• 177 pre-school bags
• 722 infant school bags
• 1,011 junior school bags
• 657 senior school bags
• 611 lunchboxes and PE bags

Our long-term local charity partner, Sal’s Shoes, once again helped ensure children could start school in well-fitted, suitable footwear by providing brand-new school shoes and trainers. Having the right shoes can make a huge difference to a child’s comfort, confidence and ability to fully take part in the school day.

This year, we distributed

• 1,346 pairs of trainers
• 2,302 pairs of school shoes

The difference this support makes

Our partners see first-hand what happens when children don’t have the essentials they need for school and the difference that timely support can make.

Without this provision, 60% of partners felt families would have gone without some items altogether or been forced into debt to cover the cost and half believed children would have had to attend school with unsuitable items. As one partner shared:

The parent would have had to borrow money from family, or not pay their bills, to afford the uniform.

The impact of receiving support goes far beyond practical items. 75% of partners told us it had a significant impact on children’s wellbeing and sense of inclusion.

That confidence carries into the classroom. 82% of partners felt the support contributed very significantly or quite a lot to children’s school engagement and attendance.

Perhaps most powerfully, the benefits are felt across the whole household. 92% of partners said parental or carer worry was reduced, 55% said families could redirect limited resources to other essentials and 75% reported children were happier and more confident.

Reaching more families, in more ways

As demand for School Days continued to grow, so did the way we delivered support. This year, deliveries became an even more vital part of how we reached families. In 2024, we delivered School Days referrals to 1,792 families; in 2025, that number rose to 2,746 families, supporting 4,509 children. By delivering directly, we saved our referral partners valuable time and costs, helping them support as many families as needed without additional pressure.

We also expanded our pop-up shop model where families had the chance to attend in person, try on items and choose what each child needed. Stock was delivered in advance and any surplus collected to prevent waste.

In 2025, we supported 14 pop-up events across 7 primary schools, 1 secondary school, and community settings including baby banks, foodbanks, a community hub and a mental health and wellbeing centre.

Powered by volunteers

School Days wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers, who give their time, energy and care to support children in our community. Throughout the year, regular volunteers and corporate groups helped sort pre-loved uniform, make up referrals and prepare school bags. One volunteer said:

Just blown away by the scale of the need in the local community. The work Stripey Stork do is amazing!

We were proud to involve young people too, from Duke of Edinburgh participants to students from Woodfield School, offering supported volunteering that builds skills and confidence. Local schools also joined in – notably Reigate Grammar School, which celebrated its 350th anniversary by pledging 350 school bags and spending a day volunteering.

In total, volunteers contributed 2,747 hours to School Days in 2025, helping clean, check, sort, and pack items and supporting referral partners, ensuring thousands of children start school ready, confident, and included.

Strengthening support through schools

In 2025, we worked more closely with schools and their staff to make sure families facing hardship could access the practical support they needed. With the cost-of-living crisis putting pressure on households and other support services stretched thin, schools were often the first to spot children struggling.

We received referrals from 144 schools, up from 86 in 2024, and supported 3,829 families via schools, compared to 1,917 the previous year.

Alongside this, our donation drives collected high-quality, pre-loved school uniform from families, schools, PTAs and community groups. Many schools have more unbranded stock than they can sell or store. Through School Days, these items were repurposed, helping children start school fully equipped while reducing waste.

Moving forward

With your continued help, we can ensure that even more children walk through the school gates feeling confident, included and ready to thrive.

There are lots of ways you can support the School Days campaign including;

• Donating your pre-loved uniform. We accept donations of preloved and new non-branded school uniform of any colour, PE and swim kit, and brand new backpacks and stationery. A full list of items we can accept, and how to donate, can be found here.
• Organising a collection of uniform. Please get in touch with us if your school, PTA or community group would like to collect uniform. Email school@stripeystork.org.uk.
• Making a cash donation. This helps us to provide some of the items that need to be bought new, and to meet special requests, for example for adaptive uniform.
• Holding a stationery donation drive. This is a great way for your school, business or community group to support the campaign. Please get in touch with school@stripeystork.org.uk if you’d like help with a poster or any more information about doing this.

If you are a professional working with families who need support with school essentials, please see our referrals page.

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The report includes regional data, as well as trends around child poverty, and summarises the difficulties faced by children in low-income families in the UK.

The long-term data shows clear differences in how poverty affects different groups. Children have consistently faced the highest poverty rates of any age group, and this gap has widened again in recent years. After falling in the early 2000s, child poverty rose from the early 2010s onwards, dipped briefly during the pandemic, and has since climbed to its highest level in over a decade (31% in 2023/24).

The report also shows that more people than ever are now classed as being in ‘deep poverty’ – meaning their annual household incomes don’t meet the cost of essentials. Or as The Guardian puts it, ‘the poorest families are getting poorer’.

Child poverty remains high, at 4.5 million children.

The report describes families with children as being a group facing ‘unacceptably high’ levels of poverty. Children in single parent families, larger families, and those with disabilities are still disproportionately affected, and more families than the previous year are now in ‘deep poverty’, with an income far below the poverty line where they could access a reasonable standard of living. Although recent announcements of changes to the 2 Child Benefit limit are welcome and are expected to have an impact in the future, this will take years – the change is forecast to only reduce the number of children in poverty to 4 million, by around 2030. And with nearly 70% of families referred to us having 1 or 2 children, there will be no change for the majority of the demographic we support.

Child poverty in areas of Surrey and Croydon is rising.

England still has the highest child poverty rate of all the UK (31%). The South East has an overall poverty rate of 19%, and London of 26%.

Here, we can examine at constituency level the rates of child poverty in any area: https://www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-statistics/geography.

Though this is by no means the only indicator of need, below are some of the child poverty estimated rates for some of the key areas we work in, compared to the report released last year.

While these numbers are lower than some areas of the country, they are still worryingly high. These seemingly small percentages still represent thousands of children in poverty. For areas that are seen as affluent, where it is possible to achieve a very high standard of living, it can still be difficult to ‘see’ the true picture of life in poverty for those whose standards of living are far lower (and some of the families we help tell us that this stigma can be a barrier to them getting help). Poverty exists everywhere, and in some areas of Surrey (at a more local level than the data above) we see higher levels of deprivation: Surrey data confirms that there are neighbourhoods within the most deprived 20% of England, and a further 22 among the most deprived 30%. Behind the data, are families like this one, with few belongings, moved suddenly to new accommodation, and unable to keep warm.

Our continued commitment to families in poverty.

We know that the need for our service remains significant, and the data just reinforces the attention we’re paying to delivering more in areas like Spelthorne and Woking. In Croydon, where we have been focusing our efforts on increasing provision, we can see there are real increases in need that mean we must continue to do what we can as a service to connect and provide there.

With the cost of living, lack of affordable housing, childcare and other significant financial challenges still ongoing, we know that our service will continue to be a lifeline for families and the partners who support them. We also remember that there are many families who may not – on paper – meet the definition of poverty that data like this report examines, but still face hardship. Some for a short time, some for the long term, and as we are here for them now, so we want to be there for every family who will need us over the coming years.

Your support is invaluable in helping us to do that. You can help by donating your pre-loved items, making a financial donation or fundraising for us. Every donation makes a real difference to a family.

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The first time I received help from Stripey Stork, I had a very young baby, and my partner was really unwell and unable to work. We were surviving on very little income, and had debt.

Initially, I received a cot, a mattress, a high chair, and baby clothes. As time went on, there were other things I needed, and was able to get. My daughter is now four years old, and whenever I’ve asked for help I’ve always been answered. I’ve also received help without having to ask for it in the form of Mother’s Day gift bags, for example.

Without this support, I would have suffered worrying, spending hours on Facebook marketplace or Gumtree, even looking on the streets, trying to find free things. And we would have gone without. I would have ended up co-sleeping with my daughter and partner, which I was worried would not be safe as he was on heavy medication at the time.

Later, when I had to start again as a single parent, finances were really tight. I would not have been able to get the things my daughter needed – like things to support potty training, clothes for nursery and then uniform for school.

Initially I found it very difficult to ask for help – I didn’t know you needed a referral and I’d never had to access any charity or help before. It was because I spoke to my health visitor that I found out that she could put in a referral for me. She was so sweet, and picked up all of the stuff and carried it up two flights of steps for me! Now I know more about Stripey Stork I know that I have no reason to be scared to ask for help and I’m more likely to actually ask for what I need and to not be afraid.

I was encouraged to access support when I was in the process of sorting out a lot of worries – credit card debt and life admin that had all built up and needed addressing. At first this felt like another thing, another duck I had to put in a row, but it felt good to be proven wrong in that – my demons said I’m going to get laughed at or demonised for asking for help, but I wasn’t, I was encouraged, and congratulated and so this actually helped me to keep opening my letters, sorting out my life admin and getting my ducks in a row.

I’ve also had the opportunity to help Stripey Stork by becoming a member of their Advisory Panel. I enjoy getting involved, whether that’s with a feedback meeting or speaking at the opening of their new warehouse last summer – it has helped me with confidence with public speaking, with meeting people – particularly people in positions of power. In those moments I’ve felt heard, validated, and like a worthy human.

Stripey Stork have such a good understanding of families’ situations, how hardship and people’s needs are changeable – they know that sometimes that means moving in an emergency, sometimes that means asking for more than one clothing package, and sometimes that means asking for presents for Christmas.

If there’s anyone out there reading this and wondering, I need this support, the best advice I can give is, ask for help. There’s a lot of strength in vulnerability. When you start opening your post, emails and getting your life admin in order, and you find out about routes to support like this and realise they’re really quite straightforward, life gets a lot brighter, but its baby steps – you don’t live your life all at once, it’s moment by moment.

It might feel like you have absolutely nothing and have nowhere else to go or no way of helping your family, and then Stripey Stork can turn around and say here, here’s a brand new cot, or there’s a toilet training kit and a potty. They always try to go above and beyond, and try and catch you if you fall. They help you carry those heavy everyday paving slabs that you take every step with – the worries that are always with you when you’re in poverty – issues like buying new school shoes or spare uniform, like giving you toys that have new batteries in them ( ‘cause batteries are expensive!) You’re treated with such dignity and kindness. It helps you hold your chin up so you can look forward.

If Yssy’s story resonates with you, please know that you’re not alone, and support is available. We works with professionals, who can make referrals quickly and simply, to provide essential items and practical help to parents and carers who need it. You can find out more about how to access support and how to get a referral by visiting the help page on our website.

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