Boots has announced it will donate 50,000 hygiene products to charity to support school-aged children.

In a statement today, the multiple said its partnership with The Hygiene Bank will see a new back-to-school campaign launched to provide products like toothbrushes, toothpastes, shower gel and period products. 

These will be distributed via the charity’s network to schools and local community schemes.

Boots says that since the partnership began in 2020 it has donated over a million products to people living in hygiene poverty.

It invited members of the public to donate full and unopened products at one of 500 Hygiene Bank donation points in Boots stores across the UK, or to make a donation via an e-voucher on the Boots website. 

A new survey carried out through the partnership has revealed that 97 per cent of teachers believe some children in their classroom “need more basic hygiene items”.

Seventy-eight per cent of teachers described hygiene poverty as a serious issue, with particular concerns raised around access to period products, deodorant and shower gel.

Hygiene Bank CEO Ruth Brock said the cost of living crisis was forcing many parents to choose between food and basic hygiene necessities, adding that hygiene poverty “negatively impacts children’s menta and physical wellbeing – from reduced participation in class and sports to self-isolation from peers”.

“Our ongoing partnership with Boots means that together we can help tackle this growing issue and provide essential hygiene and personal care products to those who need them most,” Ms Brock said.

Lucy Reynolds, Boots UK’s director of communications and environmental, social and governance said: “We know that back to school can be a challenging time for many families, this year more than ever. 

“Together with The Hygiene Bank we hope to help by donating an extra 50,000 essential products, including soap, shower gel, toothpaste, deodorant and period products - things that many of us take for granted. 

“Having access to these basic items can help young people feel more confident going back to school.

“Anyone can help this very important campaign by dropping off any full and unopened items to one of our 500 Hygiene Bank donation points in Boots stores across the country. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far.”