British charity campaigns against child poverty through hygiene

A charity founded by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to step up its campaign efforts against child hygiene poverty this year.

The Multibankwhich was founded by the former Labor leader, works with a number of sports clubs across Britain and the charity Hygiene Bank. During the Christmas and New Year period it collected thousands of hygiene products at sporting events.

The campaign got a boost on Monday with a campaign by Amazon to donate 250,000 hygiene products to charity by the end of the month. The initiative was launched after a Hygiene Bank survey found that teachers are spending their own salaries to support children who may be living in hygiene poverty at their schools.

Brown said: “Thanks to the generosity and compassion of so many sports fans, many children are returning to school this week feeling a lot more comfortable in their own skin and more confident taking their place in the classroom because they have soap, shampoo , toothpaste and deodorant and their families have the products they need to keep themselves and their clothes clean.

“Last month’s inspiring Multibank donation drive from sports fans means that children can go to school this month and stay engaged – and social – simply because they feel and smell clean. We can do much more to support them in 2025.”

He said: “I am thrilled that Amazon, whose excess inventory is already a mainstay of multi-bank goods, is launching a multi-business collaboration between hygiene companies to increase the amount of hygiene products supplied to our multi-banks. I thank all companies involved.

“We know that the multi-banks are making a real difference by helping families in difficult circumstances look to the future with some hope of better days. We now need to continue to innovate in the way we do charity work in our communities, because too many children need the help now and teachers tell us that keeping children clean and smelling fresh is a priority for them.”

John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK country manager, said: “We are incredibly proud to have supported the creation and continued expansion of the Multibank network.

“It was inspiring to see sports fans donate to the recent hygiene poverty campaign and help those most in need in our communities.

“We want to continue that goodwill and by working with our suppliers and our customers we hope to generate hundreds of thousands of additional donations and alleviate the impact of hygiene poverty.”