The Hygiene Bank has grown from a belief that basic hygiene is not a privilege. Feeling clean should not be a luxury for anyone in our society, yet many of us find ourselves in poverty and struggling to afford the basics. 

Grounded in the community, the Hygiene Bank’s local projects work with a range of community partners to identify and respond to the direct needs of those experiencing hygiene poverty through collecting and distributing donated products. In 2021, the Hygiene Bank distributed over 440,000 kg of products to communities across the UK.

I’ve volunteered locally for the Hygiene Bank since 2022; we’re a small team of eight supporting 11 community partners in and around Oxford and I can’t emphasise enough how valuable the work of the Hygiene Bank is both locally and nationally. 

Any money raised through me running this 1/2 marathon will be gratefully received and well used by the Hygiene Bank, while also providing me with much needed motivation to keep the 12 weeks of training up through the long winter days!