Hygiene Bank helps Doncaster families hit by hardship

The Hygiene Bank collects new, unused and in-date toiletries and personal care essentials which are redistributed via local charities. Its partnership with Boots has led to donation points being set up in 220 stores.

Denaby Main Primary Community Hub safeguarding and families officer Kimberley Davies said: “It became clear that families were becoming concerned about how they were going to manage over the coming months, dealing with being furloughed, losing jobs and bereavement.

"We approached The Hygiene Bank Doncaster, who have been fantastic, and supplied our families with some really lovely soaps, shampoos and toiletries which have been donated through the local donation points at Boots.

"At Denaby Main, we serve one of the most deprived areas in South Yorkshire and will never forget the faces of the families as they came through the door, how their eyes lit up when they looked at what we were able to provide thanks to The Hygiene Bank and Boots.”

Bentley Town End Flood Action formed last November. Many families were uninsured and had to stay put.

Claire Bryce from the group said: “We have received essential toiletries and the generous donations has meant that every property affected (approximately 500) received cleaning packs and care packages.

“To smell nice and have a pamper may seem like an everyday occurrence to most people but when you have lived through a flood you will see for yourself what you once took for granted.

"The Hygiene Bank has also been a huge help throughout the pandemic keeping our community and their properties clean and safe.” ​​​​​​​

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Founder of The Hygiene Bank, Lizzy Hall, created the people-powered charity after she discovered that toiletries were not widely accessible through existing food banks.

An estimated 14 million people in the UK are living in poverty and it has been reported that 1.1 million people may face poverty at the end of 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

Helen Normoyle, Boots UK marketing director, said: “Supporting hygiene poverty in local communities has been a mission for Boots since opening its doors over 170 years ago.

"Soap was one of the first non-medicinal products that our founder Jesse Boot sold, because he recognised that basic hygiene is the foundation of good health.

"Since then, Boots has continued to provide affordable healthcare and basic hygiene products, and through our partnership with The Hygiene Bank we will continue our mission to help even more people.”

The charity’s website is at https://thehygienebank.com/

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