A FOODBANK has launched an appeal to ensure that mums needing help get a little something extra this Mother's Day.

Mother’s Day can be a difficult time for women facing crisis, especially mums facing hunger who are unable to provide food for their families or afford the basic toiletries many people take for granted.

So ahead of Sunday, March 11, the charity is calling for donations of shampoo, sanitary products, nappies, shower gel and toothpaste to help the borough's women and their children.

Janice Macleod, manager at the foodbank, which is part of the Trussell Trust, said: “Every day at the foodbank we meet mums from across St Helens who share heart-breaking stories about struggling to afford food for the family.

"No mum should feel like they have let their children down because something outside their control, like illness or a delayed benefit payment, has thrown the family into crisis– that’s why we give not only emergency food but also talk over a cuppa about what’s going on and what help is available.

"When you’re struggling to afford food, you’re often struggling to afford other basics like toilet roll, shampoo and women’s sanitary products too.

"Perhaps unsurprisingly, toiletries are not the first thing most people think of when they’re donating to a foodbank, but they do make a huge difference in restoring some normality when you’re at the point of crisis.

"Whatever you are able to give this Mother’s Day will help mums who are struggling to know that there are people who care. Thank you for your support.”

Emma Revie, chief executive at The Trussell Trust, added: “We’re a society that believes in doing the right thing and looking out for each other - that there are over 40,000 volunteers in our foodbank network tirelessly giving their time to help people facing hunger is testament to those strongly held values.

"No one should need a foodbank’s help and we’re committed to tackling the big issues that leave people locked in poverty – whilst we work towards this in the long-term, we’d love your support right now to help provide not only emergency food, but also some treats and toiletries to women facing hunger in the lead up to this Mother’s Day.”

Anyone interested in donating visit mydonate.bt.com/events/foodbankmothersdayappeal/457895 or drop off donations at The Hope Centre, Atherton Street, between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday.