Boots Ireland has announced a new partnership with The Hygiene Bank Ireland, providing drop off points in ten stores where people can donate hygiene products which are provided to those in need.

A new bank has been installed at Letterkenny Retail Park, where people are invited to donate a range of unopened and unused products such as dental products, deodorants, body wash, nappies, baby wipes, razors and shaving foam, period products, hairbrushes, shampoo and conditioner.

Most of us take it for granted that we can buy everyday hygiene and personal grooming products. The reality of low income is that it restricts people’s options, leaving people caught between being able to heat homes, pay rent, eat or be clean. The Hygiene Bank Ireland is a grassroots organisation, which tackles hygiene poverty by delivering donated hygiene and household cleaning products to community partners who work with vulnerable and marginalised communities.

Letterkenny Retail Park was chosen as one of ten stores in the initial phase of the programme.

Pictured at the announcement of Boots Ireland partnership with The Hygiene Bank Ireland unveiling ten new drop-off points where people can donate unused and unopened hygiene products for donation to those who are most in need, at Boots Letterkenny Retail Park, Donegal (from l to r): Martha Ryan, Head of Human Resources Boots Ireland & Corporate Social Responsibility Lead, Vic Riley, The Hygiene Bank Ireland volunteer, Margaret McFadden, Boots Letterkenny Retail Park Store Manager, and Carla Harkin, The Hygiene Bank Ireland volunteer. Photo: Clive Wasson

Speaking at the launch of the new partnership, Ciára Dalton, Head of Marketing, The Hygiene Bank Ireland said, “Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living, yet with 640,000 people at risk of poverty and the cost of living on the rise, hygiene products can often be at the bottom of the shopping list for people who are struggling to make ends meet.  The impact of this can be immense.  A child might be bullied for going to school with matted hair because the family doesn’t have a hairbrush, or a woman might not leave the house for several days each month as she doesn’t have period products.  As the national charity for hygiene poverty, The Hygiene Bank Ireland is dedicated to working towards eradicating this problem whilst supporting those most at-risk of hygiene poverty with the products they need.  That’s why our new partnership with Boots Ireland is so important as it will see our network of drop-off points increase and we encourage everyone who is able, to consider donating relevant products at those Boots Ireland stores taking part in this initiative.”