A POLICEWOMAN has launched a project to provide under-privileged children in the borough with school uniforms.

Inspector Vicky Holden, who works alongside the St Helens Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, created the 'Paper Dolls Police Academy' to collect school uniforms to help those families who struggle to buy them.

The initiative has been open to staff and officers within Merseyside Police who have received a paper doll with the first name and age of the child they will be helping and a list of the uniform items and sizes they need.

Vicky, a mum-of-two who came up with the idea while shopping for her five-year-old daughter's uniform, added the dolls as a personal touch to allow people to realise who they were directly helping.

She has been hanging up paper boy and paper girl dolls in the canteen at St Helens police station along with a Back To School supermarket trolley to put donations in.

She said: “I was getting ready for my daughter Molly to go to school and realised that the average cost of a uniform, without shoes and PE kits are around £35.

“I’m lucky enough to be able to afford that but I know after working in the borough for five years that many families would struggle, especially with more than one child and the thought of my own daughter ever being in that situation really got me thinking.

“I just wanted to do something that gave people a physical reminder and came up with the dolls as people can take them away and get the items that child needs.

“I planned to do 30 dolls and help 30 children but it’s grown to 80 now, it does matter especially taking unneeded stress of mums.

“There is a huge need in St Helens but this year with the local council stopping doing the grants for uniforms it’s made a big difference to families with many only realising around now.

"It’s made me more determined and I hope next year to open it up to shops in the community as well so we can help even more children as it can make massive difference.

"This has already been an extremely worthwhile appeal and something which can really help underprivileged children make a good start at school."

Today, Monday, August 21, Vicky met with Lindsay SLater from Hayock and her five-year-old son Mackenzie who is one of the beneficiaries of the scheme.

Lindsay added: "This scheme has helped me out millions and I’m so appreciative and thankful of everything Vicky has done. It’s a brilliant idea and will make a lot of mums very happy.

“Mackenzie will be over the moon and I can’t wait for him to try on his new uniform.”

St Helens Local Policing Superintendent Louise Harrison added: “The response to this project in the last few weeks has been overwhelming, both locally and across the force.

“It is really heartening to see so many members of our staff helping out members of their own communities, people who are less fortunate.

“Vicky has worked so hard to get this idea off the ground and everyone who has contributed should be very proud each that they are directly helping a child who really needs it.”

Anyone who wishes to donate or get any more information can contact Inspector Holden on 36847@merseyside.police.uk.