Wigan Warriors join north west football clubs in national campaign

A host of football and rugby teams across the north west have joined a national campaign to respond to the rising issue of poverty hygiene in the UK.

The Multibank is working with organisations across sports and entertainment this Christmas to give young people the best chance possible of reaching their potential in 2025. A number of clubs are already on board with the launch, and more are expected to follow in the coming days and weeks.

Wigan Warriors, Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, Salford City, Sale Sharks, and Oldham Athletic are all among the groups looking to drive donations for essential items such as soap, deodorant and toothpaste to relieve the worries and anxieties that increasing numbers of families and children have experienced as the cost of living has shot up over the last few years. Members of the Warriors squad volunteered at charity The Brick in Wigan on Tuesday as they look to help their local community.

Kris Radlinski, Warriors' chief executive, said: “In support of the Multibank project, we remain dedicated to serving the communities of Wigan - the people we proudly represent. Hygiene poverty is a challenge that often goes unnoticed, but we’re determined to change that by raising awareness through our Night Under the Lights event.

"We’re confident that this initiative will inspire our fans to rally with us wholeheartedly. Together, we will continue to take on the challenges facing our town and make a lasting impact."

With a campaign led by Kelly Hogarth, who was behind Marcus Rashford's campaign to end child food poverty, further events are planned at the Bolton vs Wigan and Salford vs Notts County games on December 14, Sale Sharks vs Exeter on December 21 and Oldham vs York City on Boxing Day.