Fears kids in Sussex can't access hygiene products
Hygiene banks have been set up to support struggling families
It's feared vulnerable families across Sussex can't make there budget stretch to buy basic hygiene products, with particular fears over the summer holidays as childcare costs stretch budgets further.
Charity Beauty Banks is today launching it's 'STAY FRESH' SUMMER APPEAL to tackle what it's calling the 'hygiene poverty crisis.'
The charity says three million children are at risk of going hungry during the school summer holidays nationwide. They say families struggling to put food on the table, hygiene essentials like toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant become un-affordable luxuries.
We've been speaking with Maggie Jones from the Hygiene Bank in Sussex which helps give vulnerable people access to hygiene products. She says:
"Our (The Hygiene Bank's) figures show 4.2 million adults in the UK are unable to afford basic hygiene essentials like, shampoo, shower gel, razors, toothpaste, nappies, anything and everything.
"When people have to make hard decisions about their finances, often they have to choose food and utility bills and sometimes hygiene feels a little less important but we all know how much better we feel when we're clean."
"It's good for our physical health because it helps tackle infection but also it has a huge impact on your mental health because if you're dirty and smelly, you don't want to go out.
With the cost of living crisis, the amount of donations we receive has dropped, which is very understandable, but we do also work with brands who give us surplus stock, or do deals..
Beauty Banks founder Jo Jones said: "We support over 500 charity partners across the UK with donations of hygiene essentials, and they've told us they are deeply concerned about the rising needs as families face financial strain during the long school summer holidays.
"The STAY FRESH Appeal exists to support children during the summer so they do not have to live with the added burden of poor hygiene.
"Our well being kits will contain hygiene essentials like body wash, sanitary pads, SPF and toothbrushes and enough product to keep school-age children clean and fresh throughout the holidays so they can have a healthier, happier summer."