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Cristina Fernandez-Hierro said families were helping by reducing textile waste
ByKate Moser Andon
BBC political reporter, Cambridgeshire
Parents have said a school uniform pop-up has helped ease the stress of budgeting for the new term.
More than 600 people queued up outside a former burger bar on Bridge Street, Peterborough, to pick up free second-hand school clothes.
There are plans to turn Friday's pop-up, where parents could donate or take home items including coats, blazers and prom dresses, into a regular event.
Thirty-year-old Hannah - the BBC has agreed to not include her surname - whose eldest daughter starts secondary school in September, said branded school uniforms "really hit a hole in the budget".
She said: "I put money aside even before they finish the previous school year, because I'm thinking of the costs coming out of summer.
"This is a great way to give back to the community."
Victoria said she was looking for summer dresses for her five-year-old daughter
Victoria - the BBC has agreed to not include her surname - 33, said her five-year-old daughter had "shot up" in size and needed more clothes for the new term.
"She's five but she's in six and seven-to-eight stuff so we need summer dresses," she said.
Victoria described herself as "quite savvy" and said attending free events in the city helped keep costs down during the school holidays.
"I'd probably be more stressed if these things weren't here though," she said.
Everything in the pop-up is free — and organisers say it is helping to reduce waste.
"Supermarkets and shops are selling too much and there's much more that can be shared," said Cristina Fernandez-Hierro from Peterborough City Council.
She said the event made people feel empowered.
"They are not just 'having charity' they are actually making a difference," she said.
"Every time you reuse an item of clothing you are actually helping the environment."
Roland said his parents struggled with the cost of uniform when he was growing up
Roland Burt, a local artist and community volunteer, is hoping to help set up a permanent hub for uniforms in the city.
"I'm surprised no-one else has done it," he said.
He previously ran a community project at a unit in Queensgate Shopping Centre, but wants to help more parents year-round.
"My mum recalled me crying as to why I couldn't go to school one day, and it was because I didn't have a school uniform.
"Parents make a lot of sacrifices."
The pop-up included branded items from local schools including tops and blazers
Chris Wiggin, Peterborough City Council's member for the environment, said the authority was looking at options for a permanent space in the city.
"We're looking at our options going forward of how we keep this as a year round option," he said.
"We're also taking donations of any old school uniform that doesn't fit for people to swap and hopefully those can be passed on as well to new homes," he added.
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