Lending a helping hand to Eastern Shore students

A Back to School drive has helped students at schools across the Eastern Shore get a great start to term one.

Generous donations from the public have enabled over 200 Back to School packs to be distributed across the Franklin electorate through a Back to School drive coordinated by the office of Independent MP David O’Byrne.

Ahead of the start of term one stationery packs were delivered to Rokeby Neighbourhood Centre, Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre, Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre and Risdon Vale Neighbourhood Centre.

Each of the packs were tailored to the needs of students from kindergarten to College and included necessities such as exercise books, stationery, drink bottles and lunch boxes.

“For some families the first days and weeks of the school year are stressful and by providing these packs we make sure that kids are excited by the first day and can be proud they have a few brand spanking new items for school,” Mr O’Byrne said.

“Our Back to School Drive is only made possible through the generosity of the public and the Neighbourhood House Network who work with us to connect with families who need help meeting the cost of their children returning to school.”

Mr O’Byrne said the Back to School drive had been strongly supported by the community and local businesses including Howrah Plumbing.

“Howrah Plumbing not only generously donated stationery but also volunteered their time to help us put the back to school stationery packs together,” he said.

“The families that will benefit from your compassion cannot thank you enough.”