School may be out but young parliamentarians are urging people to help donate back to school kit for pupils on their daunting and exciting  first days at secondary school.

Hackney’s Youth Parliament has been collecting brand new school packs to give Year 7 pupils a head start for their secondary school career.

The idea is to help families get all the essentials for school, which can get costly.

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An estimated 40% of Hackney children live in poverty and the appeal aims to give their first days at senior school a boost.

A spokesperson for the Youth Parliament said: “As young people we know how important it is to start the first term feeling confident and ready, and we want others to have the best start in their new school.

"Due to the cost of living crisis some families will struggle to afford the resources needed, but with your support, we can provide their young people with free school packs of brand new equipment: a rucksack, pencil case, scientific calculator, and pens."

So far more than 80 packs have been donated to the appeal spearheaded by young people.

There is still time to donate rucksacks in neutral colours, blue, black or grey, so they can be used by pupils at all 16 Hackney secondary schools.

People are also asked to donate back to school essentials –  a pencil case, set of pens and a scientific calculator to help students with their studies.

The young parliamentarians, who serve a two year term, also researched suitable kit and set up an online wish list.

The Youth Parliament members suggested people buy the equipment online to be delivered to the Pack to School Appeal, Forest Road Youth Hub, 29 Forest Road, London, E8 3BY by Friday (Aug 4).

People can also drop off pack to school donations at the Youth Hub between 3.30pm and 7pm on Thursday and Friday.

The Youth Parliamentarians also suggested buying equipment from Mare Street stores Argun Stationers and Outdoor People.

The next Youth Parliament elections take place in September and are open to 14 to 19-year-olds in Hackney.

Members campaign on issues affecting young people across the borough and hold the council to account at scrutiny meetings.