Paul Berry provides the latest news from the Wolves Foundation: Fans encouraged to help combat hygiene poverty
Wolves and Wolves Foundation have teamed up with the Multibank UK Christmas campaign to encourage fans to help combat hygiene poverty by donating products at the Boxing Day fixture with Manchester United.
This ties in with Wolves Foundation’s ‘Supporting Our Pack’ campaign which provides various strands of support to people across the community, and is an addition to the charity’s own Shoebox Appeal which will see hundreds of children receive presents donated by the club’s supporters.
“We are delighted to be linking up with the Multibank campaign to help combat issues around hygiene poverty this Christmas,” says Ollie Locker, Senior Health Officer with Wolves Foundation.
“At Wolves Foundation, we are committed via our Supporting Our Pack project to helping people who are vulnerable or in need of different types of assistance and working with Multibank on their Christmas campaign is another strand to that initiative.
“We know how Wolves fans have been extremely generous in their support of others across the community and hopefully, in addition to the Shoebox campaign we are delivering separately, this offers another opportunity to make a positive impact.”
All products donated will support the build of essential hygiene packs, to be distributed via the Wolves Foundation’s range of projects delivered out and about in the community. These items include soap, shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, provided they are sealed and within expiration date.
Statistics obtained by Multibank UK back up why their Christmas campaign is so important.
For 46% of households, washing detergent is considered a luxury item on the shopping list, rising in cost at a rate of 41.6% in just three years. Alongside that, 42% of households are without deodorant. 400,000 are without soap or toothpaste. And with school staff recognising the isolation, withdrawal and bullying that is developing as a result, they are spending approximately £40million of their own money to support pupils, purchasing soap, toiletries, and detergent to counter divisiveness in the classroom.
Donations can be made from 2.30pm up until 5pm prior to the Manchester United fixture (kick off 5.30pm) at the Fan Zone, with any other donation points to be announced closer to the fixture.
Kelly Hogarth, Campaign Lead for The Multibank said: "The Multibank is thrilled to have joined forces with Wolves and Wolves Foundation as part of our national 2024 Christmas Campaign.
“There is no better sport than football to bring people together, and with the shared commitment of the club and Foundation, we are confident that, supported by the fans, we can put smiles back on the faces of those most in need this Christmas.”