Residents are being urged to dig deep to help children in need.

OBA chairman Susan Jackson appealed to the public and politicians to assist the Hands of Love charity, which is aiming to provide hundreds of school clothes for families facing financial struggles.

“Members of the One Bermuda Alliance are asking members of the public, their own party and the Progressive Labour Party for donations to help the children identified as ‘in need’ by the Hands of Love Ministry,” Ms Jackson said

“In a front-page story in The Royal Gazette, the Southampton charity said it was looking for donations to help outfit as many as 600 children from recession-hit families for the new school year — record numbers, according to its organiser Fern Wade.

“We thought politicians would like to help and that if it was a non-partisan effort, the buy-in might be even better. We think everyone can agree that our kids have got to come first.”

Ms Jackson said she had approached senior PLP members for their help.

“I have reached out to PLP chairman Maynard Dill, Opposition leader Marc Bean and Lovitta Foggo MP, and invited them to join this push to make the start of the school year go as well as possible for the kids,” she said. “Our intention is to get MPs to donate and to urge our constituents to do so as well.”

If you can help, contact Ms Wade on 333-6789 or on 238-2059. Donations can also be made direct to the Hands of Love Ministry, HSBC account 010 434009 011.