Saints tackle hygiene poverty as club partners with The Multibank to drive Boxing Day donations

Southampton Football Club and its charitable arm, the Saints Foundation, have partnered with The Multibank for its Christmas campaign.

This December, The Multibank is looking to raise awareness of and tackle hygiene poverty among young people.

For almost half of all UK households, washing detergent is now considered a luxury item on the shopping list, with prices up 41.6 per cent in just three years.

42 per cent of households are without deodorant, while 400,000 are without soap or toothpaste.

School staff are estimated to have spent around £40 million buying these essentials for students to support them at school – and the issue is only expected to worsen as costs rise.

Meeting the issue head on, Saints are set to host a donation drive at St Mary’s Stadium when they face West Ham United this Boxing Day.

Photo: Alistair Heap/PA Wire

All matchday fans will be encouraged to gift essential items like soap, shampoo, shower gel, roll-on deodorant, tampons, sanitary pads, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

The Multibank will then assemble hygiene packs to distribute via The Big Difference, a local food bank distribution centre which serves over 100 communities and schools across Southampton.

Sam Fulling, chief operations officer for Saints Foundation said: “We’re proud to be teaming up with The Multibank and our local partners at The Big Difference to tackle hygiene poverty, rallying Saints fans to lend a hand by gifting essential products to those most in need.

“We work across the most deprived area of the cities and with the people who face inequality the most.

“Christmas is a time for giving, and we hope that our fans will get behind this important initiative to ensure that no one in our local community goes without the necessities – because every small act of support makes a big difference.”

Dr Sanjay Mall, chief executive for The Big Difference, said: “It’s a real privilege to partner with Southampton Football Club and The Multibank to help those struggling families.

“I urge those in our city to really help those in need.

“While our primary focus at The Big Difference is to serve the people in Southampton and families suffering with food insecurity, we also help those in need of hygiene products and clothes.

“Feeding communities and uniting hearts is what we are all about.”

Kelly Hogarth, campaign lead for The Multibank, added: “The Multibank is thrilled to have joined forces with Southampton FC and Saints Foundation as part of our national Christmas campaign.

“Hygiene poverty is a largely preventable issue, but its impact on young people is significant.

“There’s no better sport than football to bring people together, and with the shared commitment of the club and foundation, we’re confident that, supported by the fans, we can put smiles back on the faces of those most in need this Christmas.

“Every small gesture can make the biggest difference.”

Three donation points will be set up on around St Mary’s, with exact locations to be confirmed closer to the time.

Donations can also be pledged to The Big Difference via its website.

• themultibank.co.uk