Ashbourne pop-up shop to offer communion outfits free of charge
Primary schools in Ashbourne are working together to ease the burden for cash-strapped parents by creating a pop up shop offering new and pristine second hand Communion outfits for boys and girls for no cost.
The initiative for the second hand communion wear originally started by the St Declan's NS Parent's Association has captured the imagination of the community since its inception last year with people coming forward with donations in their droves.
This time around St Mary's NS and Gaelcsoil Na Cille have come on board for the pop up shop that will kit out children on their big day.
The pop up shop will be opened this Saturday 27th January at Unit 47 Ashbourne High Street for pupils of the three schools involved while on Sunday, it will be opened to the public.
As families are spending up to €1000 for the occasion it will no doubt be welcome news for struggling parents.
"The whole idea of this pop of shop is to help people in the community who might be struggling due to the cost of living so everything is free from the communion dress to the shoes to the veil," said Karen Moss,Chairperson of St Declan's NS Parent's Association.
"Roughly at the moment we have around 130 dresses and 75 suits," she added.
"They have that same special experience of going into a boutique and picking out the outfit they want and they even get a picture with the little sign saying yes to the dress or yes to the suit and we want to make it all about the child on the day."
There is no pressure on parents to make a donation but the option will be there according to Karen who said:
"There will be a donation box there, people can donate if they wish but that is entirely up to themselves.
" Anyone who makes a donation will go into a raffle for spot prizes that have been sponsored by local businesses"
The Parents association chairperson says all three schools are hoping that the pop up shop will alleviate the financial burden for parents of children making their first communion.
"This year we really wanted to include all of the community in this event so we have joined up with two other primary schools in Ashbourne," said Karen.
"Families are under pressure to kit the children out. I am a mother myself to four girls who have made their communion so I understand the costs involved."
The St Declan's National School Parent's Association was last year presented with an award for innovation by the National Parent's Council for their initiative that also encourages sustainability.
"Some people who got outfits in January last year have actually donated them back to us which means that dress or suit is going to worn a third or fourth time," said Karen.