World Gin Day: South Shields bar Hogarths offers free gins to customers donating women's toiletries to foodbank on World Gin Day

Hogarths gin bar in Mile End Road is offering selected drinks to people donating women’s toiletries and sanitary products to foodbank Key 2 Life as part of an initiative to help those less fortunate in South Tyneside.

The offer takes place on World Gin Day, Saturday, June 12, with those donating being able to claim a gin or mixer in exchange for each item, up to a limit of two per customer.

Hogarths made a similar offer in 2019, when those donating tinned food were offered a variety of gins or mixers as part of a campaign across all of its 15 bars nationwide.

Alex Ozobia, manager at the South Shields bar, said he hopes there is a similar degree of take-up this year, despite restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

“It was a real success in 2019, so we’re hoping for a similar turnout this weekend,” he said.

"If on Saturday they bring in a bottle of shampoo and another sanitary product, they can get two gins or mixers from us.”

He said the idea behind the latest drive had come after speaking with foodbank workers in the area, who reported a shortage of women’s sanitary products.

He added that there is a maximum of two exchanges per customer and that the exchange period will be between 12noon and 8pm on Saturday, June 12.

Participants will be able to choose from the following range of gins: Gordons Mediterranean Orange, Puerto de Indias Strawberry, Boe Violet/Apple/Passion, Brockmans, Martin Millers, Edinburgh Gin or Beefeater London Dry.

A post on Hogarth’s Facebook page reads: "No person should be without access to products they need, so this year we are exchanging toiletries on World Gin Day for a FREE 25ml Gin & Mixer. Maximum of two exchanges per customer.”

It concluded: “It’s nice to smell nice and always have beautiful hair, shower us with your sparkling gels and bath bombs.

“The management reserve the right to refuse your donation, make sure the products are unused. Dig deep and surprise us.”

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