A PAIR of Bournemouth School pupils have volunteered to “wipe out poverty” by donating toilet rolls and sanitary products to Ringwood Foodbank.

Year 9 pupils Hector Godden and James Davie decided to donate the items as part of achieving their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. The pair chose to give the items after visiting the foodbank’s warehouse in Hangersly, near Ringwood.

Hector explained: “We learned that toilet roll and sanitary items are some of the least donated but most needed items. In November 2022, a poll of more than 2,000 adults in the UK found that almost half of low income households had to go without basic hygiene products in the last 12 months because they could no longer afford them.

“So, for our Duke of Edinburgh volunteering project, James and I decided to help to help ‘Wipe Out Poverty’ by collecting these products from local residents.”

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The boys designed posters and leaflets to promote collection of the items in the New Forest villages close to where Hector lives. They were supported in their collections by the Potting Shed Café and Hyde Club.

Chris Lee, Chair of Trustees of the Ringwood Foodbank, said: “Ringwood Foodbank relies on the support of our local communities to assist those in financial hardship with food, toiletries and household cleaning items. In financial year 2022/23 Ringwood Foodbank provided help to 3,124 adults and 2,046 children. We are very grateful to Hector and James for their support at this time of continuing high demand.”

Following a successful campaign, the boys now have a car full of toilet rolls and sanitary items to handover to the Foodbank. Although their campaign is over, they urge people to continue to donate to the charity.

More information can be found at ringwood.foodbank.org.uk.