The Hygiene Bank Bolton urging people to get involved in scheme

The Hygiene Bank's Bolton branch was set up by project co-ordinator Rachael Blakey, 31, in February this year. 

The branch takes donations such as shower gel, period products and cleaning goods and then distributes them to those who need it most across the borough.

Rachael, from Bradshaw, said: “When I've been collecting donations a lot of people think of it just being food that people need with food banks.

“I think a lot of people forget that hygiene is usually the first thing that people have to sacrifice when it comes to the choice of food or cleaning products.”

While the charity works nationwide, the Bolton branch works with two borough partners, Harmony Youth Project and Sarah Lodge.

And this Christmas the charity is running two campaigns to help provide amenities for those who need it most.

The first is the "Its in the bag" campaign where donations go to making tote bags of products that can be gifted out to people.

The second is the reverse advent, the brainchild of Rachael, who has been doing it with her kids for the last two years.

Each day she shares an idea of a commodity on social media that can be donated to the charity.

Hygiene donations to the charity (Image: Rachael Blakey)

Rachael said: “I just thought it might be nice to do it through the hygiene bank and every day I share an idea of what kind of thing can go in because I know for a lot of people it can be a struggle thinking of ideas and it's something nice for people to do with the children to get them involved.”

She said the campaign has been "really good" with "so many people coming round with bags of products and gift bags".

The importance to people of a hygiene products cannot be underestimated.

Rachael added: “I don't think people realise how much of a difference it makes to people.

“Just the basics, like some shower gel, shampoo and deodorant, what it does to your self-esteem and confidence and obviously people don't think about the hygiene side of things when it comes to people struggling, but the difference it makes is unbelievable.”

Rachael set up the scheme after seeing the charity on Instagram.

Currently donations are either made to Rachael who says her "rooms are filled with gift bags" or into a box at Boots at Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park.

Residents can arrange collections and deliveries through messages on The Hygiene Bank Bolton Facebook page or by emailing bolton@thehygienebank.com.