'It means so much to them': Foster children charity seeks larger clothing for teens

A charity that helps kids get settled in foster care says they have a big gap in donations - larger clothing to fit teenagers.

Kids in Need Waikato currently supports almost 1500 children, sending them care packages with clothing, and numbers were growing every month.

Co-founder Linda Roil said the lack of teen-friendly clothing options, however, meant kids were refusing to go to school on mufti days because they were embarrassed by their clothes.

One girl the charity worked with was wearing clothing that used to belong to her aunties.

"They were wearing size three extra large, and this girl was a woman's small, wearing this huge clothing."

The charity was seeking donations of money and used clothing in good condition, Roil said.

"The appreciation from these teens, it just lights up your day. It means so much to them to feel the same as their peers, to fit in."

The Milford Foundation had made a big contribution to efforts to get more teen-friendly clothing with a $10,000 donation to the charity, she said.

Foster children charity in need of larger clothing

'Some of the stories are just really sad'

Linda and Graeme Roil first became foster carers in 2014. They quickly realised children were arriving in care with little besides the clothes on their backs.

"As a foster parent you get payments, but we had to wait two weeks to get the first payment, so we were asking the community for clothing for the children," she told RNZ.

In 2017 they took matters into their own hands by starting Kids in Need Waikato.

Their care packages included everything children and teens needed.

"All the care packs get brand new underwear, brand new socks and brand new pyjamas."

They also included second-hand clothing from the community, as well as toiletries, a toy, books, shoes and more.

They made a huge difference in the lives of vulnerable youths, she said.

"Some of the stories are just really sad.

"We've had a four-year-old boy who's never had his own toothbrush, a seven-year-old who's never had her own hairbrush," she told RNZ.

Winter packs were being sent out now with warm clothing.