BBCCharity volunteer Lorraine Thompson (left) , chief executive Julie Waller (middle) and customer Wendy Howard (right)As children across the country ditch school uniform for the day to raise money for Comic Relief, one Greater Manchester charity that has helped thousands of families with recycled uniforms will be receiving funding.
Uniform for All is a community project for recycling uniforms for Rochdale's schools - and in the six years since opening, the volunteer-led organisation has provided free uniforms to more than 2,000 families.
With a motto of "If we have it, you can have it", the charity has sent out thousands of items anonymously to parents to collect from 16 libraries.
It costs about £10 to collect, wash and distribute each package - and this week the charity will receive help from Comic Relief.
The charity says it currently covers 81 schools and has a stock of more than 500 different items available to all who need itThe charity estimates it has distributed more than 15,000 items across Rochdale - where 40% of children live in poverty, according to research from the Cooperative Councils' Innovation Network.
Chief executive Julie Waller spoke to BBC Radio Manchester about her role in founding the organisation ahead of Comic Relief's 2026 event in Salford on Friday evening.
Having started the organisation during the pandemic with her daughter, she said the charity began teaming up with a local co-operative, which offered to take in school uniform donations.
Since then, the needs of the charity have grown dramatically - with requests doubling from December 2025 to January 2026, Julie said.
"We distribute it to anybody free of charge that wants school uniform via our online store," she said. "And it is completely anonymous.
"This year we definitely know the figures will be higher for requests.
"The maximum number of orders we can get out in a day is 55 bags of uniforms and some of these bags have got maybe 10 to 15 items in."
The charity says its busiest time of year is always July and August, before the start of the new school year in SeptemberWendy Howard, 51, is a user of the Uniform for All scheme and said it had made a big difference in her life as a single mother to two children.
"It's brilliant and has helped me a lot financially as a single parent bringing up two kids on my own.
"It cost us a fortune, two or three jumpers at a time or blazers - when my kids are growing that fast every week."
She said the organisation had also come in handy for providing pants, trainers and shoes, as well as helping her to get the specific fleeces her special needs daughter required.
"It's saving me money that I can then spend on food and buy other stuff for my children," she added. "I'd be stuck without them."
As part of Comic Relief 2026, Uniform for All will receive a funding donation, with the amount dependant on the total figure raised"I love it," said Lorraine Thompson, 72, charity volunteer, of her work with the project. "We all get on so well, the atmosphere is lovely and we have a good laugh."
She said she found it heartwarming to know she was making a difference and helping others.
"One lady said to me she thanks God for Julie - who runs the organisation - because she has a big family and she really struggles.
"And it was just so nice that she said that."
Chief executive Julie added: "Any help is tremendous.
"And all the people that support Comic Relief is just amazing for us.
"They have given us funding that means we are able to buy items we need like shoes, socks, tights and any blazers that we don't have - and these things are in demand all the time, so that money is really, really appreciated."
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