More than 750 families and individuals in Romsey have been supported by a grassroots charity.

The Romsey Hygiene Bank, which aims to alleviate hygiene poverty in the area, was awarded a £1,000 Cost of Living grant by Test Valley Borough Council and a £1,000 Councillor Community grant from the Cupernham ward councillors.

The money has been used to buy essential personal hygiene items for adults, babies, and children, as well as household products including toilet rolls and laundry detergent.

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Cupernham ward councillors, Rohit Kohli and Neil Gwynne, attended a collection day for the Hygiene Bank.

Cllr Gwynne added: "We’re delighted to be able to help and to enable a better supply of readily available personal and household hygiene products at foodbanks, pantries, schools and other community organisations in the Romsey area."

Feedback from community partners in Romsey showed that the council grants have helped more than 500 individuals via the Romsey Foodbank and at least another 250 families and mums-to-be through Baby Necessities.

Lynne Gibson, project coordinator at The Hygiene Bank, Romsey, said: "As a small charity, powered entirely by volunteers, we are reliant on grants such as these to buy much needed items which are either not donated or donated in insufficient quantities."