The drive · CIC · Medway
Help 500 children
start school
with confidence.
Last year we supported 114 children across Medway with uniforms and essentials in two weeks. This year, we’re aiming for 500.
Back to School Drive 2026
8
Families registered
15
Children on the list
£15
of £10,000 raised
1
Supply pledges
Back to School 2026 campaign
0% of £10,000 goal
That's 0 of 500 children starting school with confidence.
Every child deserves to walk in on day one feeling ready.
For too many families in Medway, September isn’t a fresh start. It’s a bill they can’t afford. The average UK family now spends close to £300 on primary school uniform alone. Add PE kit, stationery, a bag that’ll last the year, and it lands the same week half the country is still catching up on summer’s energy bills.
Something has to give. And it’s usually the child.
Kids notice everything. The too-small blazer. The scuffed shoes. The bag that won’t zip. It shows up in the classroom as embarrassment, absence, and lost focus. Kids who walk in properly kitted out show up with their heads high. They engage more, miss less, and don’t spend their day worrying about how they look.
That’s what this drive is for. One less thing on a parent’s plate. One more child ready on Monday morning. Not charity. Just Medway looking after Medway.
The cost
~£300 per child
What the average UK family now spends kitting a primary child out, before backpacks, PE and stationery. Secondary is over £420.
The impact
Confidence, attendance, focus
Children who start school properly kitted out engage more, miss less, and don't spend their day worrying about how they look.
The response
Neighbours, not charity
This drive is Medway looking after Medway, one uniform, one backpack, one Monday morning at a time.
Two ways to change a September
Register a child. Donate £20. Either way, someone starts school ready.
Register your family. Donate. Pledge new supplies.
Registration closes Friday 21 August 2026, 6PM. Approval emails go out the same day with a QR code you’ll show on arrival.
Register your children
Up to 4 kids per family, ages 4–12.
- Add your children + uniform sizes
- Get an approval email with a QR code
- Collect at Sunlight Centre on 22 August 2026
Closes Friday 21 August 2026, 6PM
Every £20 kits a child.
£15 of £10,000 raised so far.
- £20 → one full kit
- £200 → 10 children
- 100% goes to the campaign
One-time or monthly · Secure payment
Got brand new kit spare?
Uniforms, stationery and school bags. Brand new only.
- Free collection across Medway
- Or drop off at a time that suits you
- Every item goes to a real family
Brand new items only
Sponsor the drive
Community tiers from £50 to £3,000+, with logo placement, named collection points and a feature in the impact report. Every gift lands in the same £10,000 goal.
Distribution day
Saturday 22 August 2026 · 12pm – 3pm
Sunlight Centre
Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX
Every £20 kits
a child.
Tagged to the Back to School Drive 2026 campaign. 100% of what you give counts toward the £10,000 goal.
Prefer to give supplies? Pledge new items instead.
Choose an amount
Brand new supplies only
We stock uniforms for ages 4–12. Not sure whether something fits? Get in touch and we’ll let you know.
£10,000 target · every pound accounted for
The majority goes directly to children. The rest keeps the campaign running and ready for emergencies.
£9,500 direct to children (95%) · £500 emergency contingency (5%)
How the day works
Register your children
Up to 4 per family. Deadline Friday 21 August 2026, 6PM.
Get your approval + QR code
We'll email your approval on Friday 21 August 2026. Bring the QR (printed or on your phone).
Come and collect
Sunlight Centre · 22 August 2026 · 12pm – 3pm. Our team will scan you in.
Please note
- Registration does not guarantee supplies. It’s first come, first served on the day.
- Stock is limited and we may not have every size or item.
- Please arrive early.