Thousands of Sunderland fans donate for young people in 'hygiene poverty'

Thousands of Sunderland fans donated hygiene products before their last home game to help young people living in poverty in the city.

Supporters attending Sunderland's match against Stoke City on Saturday were asked to bring the items to the Stadium of Light.

Donations will be used to create packs for young people across the city experiencing 'hygiene poverty'.

Kelly Hogarth, from Multibank, said: "Wind, rain, or shine, you can always rely on the people of Sunderland to come together for those most in need, and that’s exactly what we experienced on Saturday at the Stadium of Light.

"Fans in their thousands gifted us with hygiene products that will boost young people’s self-esteem and confidence across Sunderland this winter and beyond.

"We are truly overwhelmed by your generosity Sunderland AFC fans, thank you."

For fans who missed the chance to donate on Saturday, there will be one donation drop-off point at the Beacon of Light on Tuesday.

(Image: Multibank) A donation drive was kickstarted by Sunderland players in the week leading up to the 2-1 win over Stoke City on Saturday.

Multibank also held a collection outside of St James' Park ahead of the match between Newcastle and Liverpool recently.

The initiative was organised by Multibank, a charity that aims to tackle hygiene poverty across the UK. The charity said that many young people are disengaging from the school system due to the "divide that has grown between them and their classmates" as a result of "hygiene poverty."

(Image: Multibank) They said that one million children arrive at school with dirty uniforms every week.

The donated products have been taken to the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen to be made into hygiene packs and will then be distributed to young people in need across the city.

The closest Multibank to Sunderland is in Middlesbrough, which opened last month.

It currently serves the Tees Valley area but has plans to expand into Sunderland and beyond.