A POP-UP shop will open up in Tavistock after the Christmas break selling used Mount Kelly school uniform and outdoor and sports kit raising money for two local charities in the process.

Mum of three Mount Kelly pupils Abigail Underhill has contributed £1,000 of her own money to set up the initiative which will be running in the old games room at the Trout ‘n’ Tipple every Wednesday during term time from 8am to 10am.

Abigail said the money raised would be split between the Childen’s Hospice South West and The Primrose Foundation supporting local breast cancer services across West Devon and East Cornwall.

Abigail said: ‘It all came about because Mount Kelly decided to shut its school shop and I didn’t want to go online to buy uniform.

‘I have lived in Tavistock for 32 years and wanted to do something for the community so I thought I would open this shop and that way people could browse. We are also helping the environment by recycling.

‘A Mount Kelly kilt costs £67.50 and a blazer nearly £100 so if people can save money on buying second hand uniform in good condition than that is brilliant.’

There will be toilets and a changing area and a 24-hour drop-off area in the ‘named’ recycle bin positioned outside the front door of the Trout ‘n’ Tipple.

The list of items accepted include:

All MK uniform and sports kit, sports equipment, wetsuits, swimsuits, school shoes, walking boots, rugby boots, trainers and astros; Ten Tors equipment (such as rucksacks and sleeping bags), in fact most items an MK pupil might need that can be recycled and reused.

All items must be cleaned, ironed (if necessary) and if a little too tired for the shop they will be recycled again.

Abigail has had brochures and leaflets printed and is distributing them locally and bought clothes rails and mannequins.

She said she could not go on holiday during the pandemic so decided to use the money on this instead.

The shop will open for business the first week in January but there will be a special launch event and afternoon tea between 2pm and 4.30pm on December 15.

Former pupil Alex Christmas from Yelverton will be opening the event which will be an opprtunity to meet parents, enjoy some treats and drop off your preloved MK uniform, sports kit and outdoor equipment and to declutter your home before Christmas. Mount Kelly parents old and new are welcome.