Video: '˜Beauty bank' got big response says Duffy

A Derry councillor who was subjected to a litany of online abuse when she promoted the concept of a '˜beauty bank' over Christmas has been overwhelmed by the public response to the initiative.
Donations to the beauty bank.Donations to the beauty bank.
Donations to the beauty bank.

Sinn Féin Councillor, Sandra Duffy, hailed the many generous individuals and businesses who donated cosmetic and hygiene products to help homeless women and victims of domestic violence.

Colr. Duffy said: “The local response we received to this was very heartening and has contributed to many women and young girls throughout our city receiving a gift over the Christmas season.

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“And I would like to thank each and every person who kindly donated to it.”

Donations to the beauty bank.Donations to the beauty bank.
Donations to the beauty bank.

Colr. Duffy said she hoped that the campaign would be wider than simply Christmas and said she believed it tied in with her campaign around ‘period poverty’, with the introduction of ‘hygiene packs’ for women and girls who have found themselves homeless or fleeing domestic violence.

She said: “Women in these situations can have very little and a small hygiene pack, containing sanitary items as well as products such as shower gels and shampoo would be very welcome.

“I would ask people to continue to consider donations of this kind as we move now into the New Year.”

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Promoting the concept of a ‘beauty bank’ before Christmas, Colr. Duffy had told the ‘Journal’ : “So having a wee bit of lipstick, having a moisturiser, having a nice hand cream, are things that are luxurious to them, things that they can’t afford, but these are all things that contribute to people’s emotional and mental well-being.”

She was subsequently subjected to a tirade of online abuse, which she described as ‘shocking’.

“I was quite shocked at some of the hurtful, misogynistic online comments made about an interview I gave to the ‘Journal’ about the concept of so-called ‘beauty banks’.

“It’s very clear that many of those commenting hadn’t even read the article in full,” she said.