Parents have described a back-to-school event in Auchinleck as a "life-saver" as organisers plan to replicate it in the future.
The day included everything from school uniform donations to free haircuts for youngsters, ahead of their return to the classroom.
Fiona Loy, who is a family support assistant for East Ayrshire Council's Children and Families Team, thought up the idea after seeing a similar event elsewhere.
After looking into the logistics of such an event, Fiona the contacted Janet Smith of the ACDI Recovery Hub and they decided to partner up and try to run an event.
The team then set about getting donations for clothes and school items, before seeking the help of businesses and groups in the area.
Free haircuts were also provided on the day by Leona McConnell from Urban Hair, and Nikki McClelland.
One person who attended the event described how vital it was for them.
They said: "Without today I didn’t know what I was going to do.
"I have just moved to the area and missed out on the school clothing grant due to being between addresses, I was unable to verify address, so today has been a lifesaver.”
Another parent added: “This is absolutely amazing and so needed and people shouldn’t feel embarrassed using services like this.
"Everyone needs help at some point, there is too much stigma put on people and they feel embarrassed about asking for help, people need to be more understanding of people's circumstances.”
Fiona was understandably delighted with how the day went, adding that she hopes similar events can take place in the future.
She said: "We were inundated with donations and the final result was overwhelming and we would like to thank every person who donated.
"This event has helped a lot of families in our area.
"Janet sourced other services to come along and join the event and these were Employability, ACDI Recovery, EAC Recovery Hub, Job Centre, Create a Smile, Home Energy Scotland, these services provided our families with knowledge of their services and provided advice and assistance."
Fiona added: "I sourced two local hairdressers to come along and provide free haircuts to kids.
"As the weeks progressed a lot of time went into sorting and sizing the donations in order to be set up for the actual event, this was a long process but well worth it and quite emotional and overwhelming at times realising how generous people were.
"Given the success of today, we hope to run more of these in the future."
Fiona wished to send a special thanks to:
- EAC Children and Families team
- Sophie Haddow, Cheryl Mitchell, Yvonne Ruddock who gave up their time to help sort through the donation and help out on the day
- Janet Smith ACDI Recovery and Addiction Services for her ongoing help and support
- ACDI Step Team Rachel Alexander, Stuart Mitchell, Leon Brownlie
- Tesco Galston for their donation of £400 worth of school wear, clothes and stationary
- Tesco Auchinleck and Louise Murdoch for housing the donations trolley
- Urban Hair and Beauty Auchinleck, Leona McConnell, for providing free Haircuts
- Nikki McClellan Hairdresser for Free haircuts
- Cumnock Job Centre
- Create a Smile
- Home Energy
- Kelly Saunderson Employability Team
- Councillor Claire Leitch
- Councillor Jim McMahon
- Councillor Linda Holland
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