A BRADFORD project which donates hygiene products to those in need is hoping to highlight the issue of hygiene poverty.

The KML Project, founded this year, assists local services by donating hygiene products to those who may struggle to access them, and is run entirely by volunteers.

It was started by Haleemah, from Bradford, who is just 23. After graduating from university in social work, she contacted food banks to ask how she could help them. They said that hygiene products are in high demand, and donations are needed - after recruiting volunteers to help her, The KML Project was born.

"Hygiene poverty is a crisis, which has a physical and mental impact on people. It causes social isolation and for children, can lead to bullying. Although food and shelter are important, hygiene poverty isn't always seen as a priority", Haleemah says.

"You don't have to be homeless to experience hygiene poverty. Some people with jobs and homes still struggle to afford hygiene products." Refugees can also be susceptible, she says: "Refugees often get put in unsuitable accommodation and people selectively choose not to support them. I've seen refugees who have only been given a face towel and no other hygiene products. Hygiene products should be basic essentials."

Haleemah says The KML Project - named after the initials of a deceased family member, as a tribute - works with around 12 food banks and four refugee groups in the district.

She says that KML has provided hygiene packs, which cost "3 to 5 pounds", to "nearly 1,000 people in the last five months".

On Christmas Day, KML supported a food bank with hygiene hampers and donated to two nursing homes. Volunteers also gave free haircuts, facials and head massages to the homeless, refugees and those in need.

Period poverty - relating to the access women and girls have to sanitary products - is also a concern: "Homeless women and girls may get offered food, but not sanitary pads", Haleemah says.

Some of the project's volunteers, Haleemah explains, have disabilities or have experienced mental illness before. "Volunteering for a good cause helps to support everyone's self-worth", she says.

"We aim to show that if we work together, we're a stronger force and we get a better job done", Haleemah continues.

"Also, as Muslims, we like to show that we are charitable and we value things like integration. On Christmas Day, Muslims do a lot for charity and we hope that will also challenge people's stereotypes. Islam is the religion of giving, and we want to show people that we are here to help."