A KIND-HEARTED Adver reader decided to dig deep to provide funds to buy a new blazer for a Nova Hreod Academy pupil after reading about her hardship in the paper.

The 68-year-old reader, who lives in Walcot, said he immediately wanted to donate the required £16.50 when he read 15-year-old Leah Young’s story in the paper yesterday.

Leah’s dad Phil claimed she was being put into isolation for not wearing the correct uniform but said that was only because he could not afford to buy her a new blazer after she outgrew the one provided by the school.

The reader, who wishes to stay anonymous, said: “I just thought I would rather bring up the money than her not being able to have the blazer to go to school.

“I was very shocked to read the story. I think it is disgusting because it is making money out of them.

“When I went to school, they didn’t worry about it but now they seem to put them in isolation if you don’t have the right uniform bought from the shop.

“It is a farce and I wanted to give them the money because I felt that it was wrong.”

Phil told the Advertiser that money was tight at the moment for the family. They are on benefits and much of that goes towards fuel costs in travelling to Oxford, where his wife is being treated for cancer.

The school bought a blazer for Leah in Year 9 after the new uniform rules were introduced, but that was 18 months ago and it is now too small.

In order to buy a new one, the school said they would only contribute to half the costs.

But while Phil and Leah are incredibly thankful for the generous offers from people to pay for the blazer, Phil added that he did not want to be subject to any abuse of being a charity case.

Instead, he is planning on donating the £16.50 given to the Adver by a reader to the charity Swindon Young Carers to help other youngsters in similar situations after a family member helped pay for a new blazer.

“I really do appreciate the donation but we didn’t set out to get money,” he said.

“We just don’t understand why she is being victimised for something she hasn’t done wrong.

“I wish people knew the whole story because all we are trying to do is get the money the school receive as Leah is a young carer.

“My wife is starting to blame herself that all the money is being spent on her now so it has caused quite a lot of distress.”

Phil hopes the family can come to an agreement with Nova Hreod in the future regarding Leah’s uniform.