Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

‘Families simply can’t afford the basics’: Plunging temperatures are a disaster for children, warns Aberdeen charity

Heavy snow and icy conditions are being predicted for next week. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson
Heavy snow and icy conditions are being predicted for next week. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson

With an arctic blast forecast for the UK over the next week, an Aberdeen charity is asking for support to give local school children winter clothing and footwear.

The call from AberNecessities comes as teachers report more and more children struggling with freezing temperatures.

The charity supports families in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with basic essentials.

The forecast is for an Arctic blast from as early as Sunday. 

As temperatures begin to plummet next week, some families are facing bleak conditions the charity says, with many gearing up to make some tough choices.

AberNecessities co-founder Danielle Flecher-Horn. Image Scott Baxter/ DC Thomson

Danielle Flecher-Horn, co-founder of AberNecessities, said: “Lots of children get excited by the promise of snow, but for many children and parents in our region, it just means more tough choices.

Children at school wet and cold

“For many, the colder weather will mean snow days, sledging and snowmen but for so many other children, it simply means being cold and uncomfortable and further distress for parents who fear their child is at risk of being cold or getting sick.

“Teachers report that children who arrive wet and cold are unable to concentrate and subsequently fall behind in their learning.

“The winter warmer packs provided by AberNecessities mean that the children can get a warm coat and waterproof shoes, which will make a huge difference to their school day.”

‘Detrimental’ to learning and physical and mental health

She continued: “Every day we hear heart-breaking stories from families across the region who simply can’t afford the basics.

“Escalating energy bills means families have been unable to buy the necessary winter clothes for growing children, meaning many just walk to school in their school uniform – even in the snow and ice.

“As well as being detrimental to their learning, exposure to extreme cold is dangerous for both their physical and mental health.”

AberNecessities is asking the local community for support to purchase the right clothing for disadvantaged children.

She added: “AberNecessities will be working flat out to get as many winter packs as we can to families across the region, helping school children start their days with everything they need to stay cosy.”

Since 2019, AberNecessities has been providing necessities such as formula milk, nappies, clothing, toys, and equipment to disadvantaged families across the north-east.

Due to the cost-of-living crisis, the number of requests coming in from schools has grown exponentially.

Working with one school in Aberdeen, AberNecessities has established a shop inside the school where parents, who are unable to provide adequate winter wear, can take their children to pick up the free warm clothing they need.

Donations can be made at www.abernecessities.co.uk or by contacting Vicky Hutcheson on Vicky@abernecessities.co.uk.

Conversation