Families are going without deodorant, toothpaste, and hot showers so they can afford to feed their kids, survey finds
REALITY star Georgia Harrison and wife of McFly drummer Izzy Judd are raising awareness around hygiene poverty.
The ex-Love Island contestant and musician took part in various activities, interacting with volunteers and supporters at The Hygiene Bank.
Their involvement aimed to shed light on the growing number of people struggling to afford basic hygiene products.
The initiative coincides with a poll of 500 adults experiencing hygiene poverty which found they are going without essentials like deodorant, toothpaste, and hot showers to ensure their families can afford meals.
And 83 per cent personally cut back on daily essentials to ensure there’s enough for their children through the school holidays.
Speaking about her partnership with The Hygiene Bank, Izzy, who is married to Harry Judd from McFly, said: “It has really opened my eyes to the invaluable work that this charity does to help those in hygiene poverty.
“It’s unbelievable to hear that adults in hygiene poverty cut back on hygiene products and food so there’s enough for their children in the summer holidays.
“For the fourth year running, from July 3 to August 27, Unilever and Boots are coming together to support this charity and pledge a minimum of 300,000 products to go to those in need.
“It’s so easy to support those families experiencing hygiene poverty by participating in their donation campaign.”
The study also found a quarter (24 per cent) even skip meals to afford hygiene products, while 51 per cent are going without new clothes, heating or air conditioning (31 per cent) and mouthwash (26 per cent) to make ends meet.
Those who have had to forego hygiene products because of the cost found 33 per cent regularly choose between buying toothpaste – or deodorant.
While 13 per cent have gone days without brushing their teeth at all, with 11 per cent only doing so on days they were going into their workplace.
And seven per cent have been forced to use a single sanitary pad for the duration of an entire period, while 13 per cent share personal hygiene products with others in a bid to save money.
It was found 55 per cent don’t feel confident about talking to others about the difficulties of affording hygiene products.
And 52 per cent aren’t aware of any resources or initiatives available that they can call upon to help them with their difficulties.
More than eight in 10 (85 per cent) believe more needs to be done to raise awareness of people experiencing hygiene poverty.
A further 78 per cent feel uncomfortable with the idea that someone shouldn’t have access to basic hygiene products.
And of those who took part in the study by OnePoll.com, 58 per cent confessed that living in hygiene poverty had led to a negative impact on their mental health.
Georgia added: “I can’t imagine going about my day-to-day life without feeling clean or having the basic hygiene products I need.
“It’s devastating how over four million adults do this every day, and the summer holidays are an even harder time for parents.”
The incentive will run until August 27, with customers who purchase products from Dove, Tresemme, Radox, Sure, Lynx, Simple, Vaseline and Sheamoisture in store at Boots and online helping Unilever donate a minimum of 300,000 products to The Hygiene Bank.