The Hygiene Bank has grown from a belief that basic hygiene is not a privilege. It’s not right that feeling clean should be a luxury for anyone in our society, yet many of us are living in poverty. Grounded in the community, our local projects work with a range of community partners to identify and respond to the direct needs of those of us experiencing hygiene poverty and struggling to keep clean, through collecting and distributing donated products. In 2021, we distributed over 440,000 kg of products to communities across the UK.

The thought of running 5km makes me nervous, never mind 21! I am incredibly guilty of neglecting exercise since I have been in school, with some brief stints in yoga and spin classes or football club. Recently I have found the exercises that I actually really love- swimming outside, cycling in the sun and (surprisingly) running. They are great because they give me that warm, buzzy, happy feeling afterwards. They are also great because they can often be followed by a nice little pint in a nice little pub. So here am I signing up for a half marathon, very much looking forward to the buzzy feeling, the pint afterwards and the ability to hopefully raise a few quid to go towards getting some hygiene products to people who have to choose between buying things like tampons, or feeding their kids.

Thank you for any help you can give me towards this great cause, even 10p per km would be brilliant. As far as I am aware, all £250 will go direct to the charity, though I have explicitly asked this via email. Should any of it go towards the running place/admin fees, I will match that myself.

Thanks again.

Rachael