A group of Schoolwear Association (SA) members have come to a family’s aid by tailoring a school uniform specific to their child’s special needs after responding to a request from their local MP.

Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, tweeted a call out in search of anyone in the area who could donate some time and skills to help tailor a school uniform for a child with special needs. The tweet caught the attention of the Schoolwear Association, a representative body of specialist school uniform suppliers, which banded together to help out.

The Schoolwear Association gathered suppliers from across the industry to provide items suited to this child’s needs.

Stevensons was able to tailor a blazer for the required fit. It also replaced shirt buttons with Velcro fastenings. William Turner, meanwhile, converted the school tie to fasten with Velcro aids. David Luke also rushed through bespoke trousers from its factory in South Africa.

The boy’s mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, says; “I can’t begin to say how much I appreciate all the help of these businesses that have made his life so much easier. He can now wear what everyone else is wearing and still be independent dressing himself.

”I would like to say a big thank you to both the Schoolwear Association and Penny Mordaunt. Without their efforts, his uniform would not have happened.”

Penny Mordaunt MP also commented on the efforts of the Schoolwear Association. “I was so pleased to hear that the Schoolwear Association was able to successfully adapt the school uniform for my constituent to suit his needs. I would like to thank them for this very kind gesture.”

Mark Stevenson, co-chair of the Schoolwear Association and CEO of Stevensons, explained that the work that has gone into adjusting the uniform is just an example of the work that independent uniform suppliers go to make sure every child is looked after.

“The Schoolwear Association truly believes that every child is worth it,” says Mark Stevenson. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside colleagues from across the industry to create bespoke garments to get this child back to school looking really smart in their uniform.

“This demonstrates the ability of specialist manufacturers and suppliers to go the extra mile for families and demonstrates the sort of services provided which make a huge difference to children’s everyday lives.”

For further information on the Schoolwear Association, please click here.