The co-founders of Beauty Banks, a charity dedicated to supplying hygiene products to people living in poverty, have described their shock and delight at being made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours. Journalist and broadcaster Sali Hughes, 51, and beauty public relations expert Jo Jones, 49, stated they were "absolutely stunned" to receive the prestigious recognition.
The genesis of Beauty Banks was described by the founders as an "accidental" beginning in 2017. Hughes, who experienced homelessness as a teenager, recounted a visit to Cardiff's largest homeless shelter for a current affairs report. While waiting for filming to commence, she noticed a small cardboard box beneath a desk containing individual tampons and miniature shower gels. Upon enquiring, Hughes learned these items had been donated by volunteers for clients to use for personal care, particularly for events like job interviews or housing meetings.
Hughes, originally from south Wales but now residing in Brighton, photographed the box and sent it to Jones, who lives in Surrey, with the message, "What the hell is this?" Jones's immediate response was, "I reckon we could do something about this." The very next day, Hughes penned a column on the issue, sparking an unexpected and rapid chain of events. "By the end of that week, we were being followed around by film crews and it was chaotic, and we accidentally launched a charity," Hughes explained.
Since its impromptu inception, Beauty Banks has grown significantly, operating with what Jones describes as a "shameless hustlers" approach to keep the small charity running. Their dedication addresses a critical, often overlooked aspect of poverty: access to basic hygiene. The charity highlights that for many, essential items like soap, shampoo, and sanitary products are luxuries they cannot afford.
Both Hughes and Jones expressed their profound surprise regarding the MBEs, stating they had no prior knowledge of being considered for the honours. "We had no idea we were in discussion. We had no idea we were in the running until we got our letters," Hughes remarked, underscoring the unexpected nature of the recognition for their vital work.