Pupils at Caereinion High School have teamed up with a supermarket in Newtown to help tackle hygiene poverty in the area.

Customers shopping at Morrisons are being encouraged to donate items to support families living in poverty who need everyday essentials such as soap, shampoo, deodorant and sanitary products.

Emma Fitzgerald, a Hygiene Bank volunteer project co-ordinator from Caereinion High School, said: “We often take everyday essential hygiene products for granted, but as some families struggle to buy food for their homes, hygiene items are the last thing on their shopping list.

“We are very grateful for the donation that was given today and we look forward to working closely together on this project.”

Sixth Form students at the secondary school are managing the Hygiene Bank project by raising much-needed cash and sorting the public’s donated items.

Jenny Coppell, Morrisons’ community champion in Newtown, added: “We met back in August to discuss how Morrisons could help support this amazing project, and we agreed to officially launch in National Hygiene Week (September 14 to 20).

“We received two of our lovely yellow donation tubs and have taken the opportunity to give our first donation of much needed baby essentials which are desperately needed in our community.”

A Caereinion High School spokesperson said: “Caereinion High School are proud to support ‘The Hygiene Bank’ scheme.

“Morrisons have kindly donated a trolley full of items to the project.”

Items can be placed in the yellow donation tubs in the foyer next to the foodbank donation stand at Morrisons.

Last weekend, representatives from Caereinion High School promoted the Hygiene Bank project at Tesco supermarket in Welshpool.

“It was a great success, with hygiene donations worth £77.80 given by generous customers,” a spokesman for Caereinion High School said.

“Thanks also to Barbara Morris, Tesco community champion, for all her support.”

For more information about the Hygiene Bank project and how you can help support the initiative, e-mail Emma Fitzgerald at thbcaereinion@gmail.com.