Boxes full of old Nottinghamshire Police uniforms and equipment have been donated to forces overseas, thanks to a West Nottinghamshire College student.

The National Police Aid Charity (NPAC) initiative will see items including jackets, fleeces, trousers, and T-shirts, as well as police equipment, handed over to less well funded forces in other countries.

Twelve boxes were collected by NPAC from Newark Police Station at the end of last month.

The job of sifting through former uniforms and equipment, to find items suitable to be donated, was taken on by summer worker Hugh Burrows.

Eighteen-year-old Hugh, of Edwinstowe, worked in the uniform stores department over the summer months as part of a force-led initiative to give young people the chance to experience working for the police.

He has diligently gone through old and used uniform to find items which are not suitable to be reused by the force but too good to go to waste.

Hugh said: “I have spent the months of August and September working closely on the project and have led it from start to finish.

“I found it to be interesting as well as fulfilling knowing that my work is going to help people, even if it is in a small capacity.

“While carrying out the project I have had the support of my line manager Oliver Wilson who has guided me through what we can send out.

“The process consists of finding the equipment by weeding through old and used uniform and equipment which is suitable to be used again and placing these aside to be sent out to foreign forces across the world.”

Uniform Services team leader Oliver Wilson added: “I’m proud of what Hugh has achieved during the last two months and I’m sure the recipients of the uniform will be very grateful for what Hugh has done for them.

“Hugh has been very proud to work for Nottinghamshire Police these last couple of months and has been a pleasure to work with and to get to know.”

Programme area leader for UPS at the college, Simon Humphreys, added: “I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and commitment shown by Hugh, who has been actively volunteering with Nottinghamshire Police.

“His initiative to take on this role demonstrates not only a genuine interest in policing but also a commendable level of responsibility and maturity. Through this voluntary work, he’s developed valuable skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership, which are essential for a future in the uniformed services.

“His proactive involvement sets an excellent example for his peers and reflects positively on his potential to thrive in a career within policing.”