LOCKDOWN LEADER: Miller Harris
Amid a multitude of brands stepping up to the plate to tackle the global pandemic, one company is proving that charity smells truly sweet. In collaboration with the leading charity for older people, Age UK, the luxury British perfumer Miller Harris is donating its entire stock of 11,000 lotions, soaps and hand washes to the over-70s. The cleansing goods will be distributed to Age UK centres across the UK, before support workers deliver the packages to locals in need. It has also donated soaps and shower gels to food banks.
Miller Harris has since called on other SMEs to help the charity sector, in any way they can. Said CEO Sarah Rotheram: “We are seeing huge acts of kindness amongst the gloom of the news, and it is these acts of kindness that bring us hope. As a brand, we feel compelled to help in any way we possibly can, and it would be a sin to see our stocks of soap sat in warehouses rather than reaching the most vulnerable in our society. The best advice is to wash your hands regularly, so we need to donate what we can and get soap to those in need. However, we do not have anywhere near enough soap to reach everyone and so it is important for other brands to step up and join us to donate generously. Alone we are small, together with other brands we can have a huge social impact.”
Over-75s make up around 15 percent of the population, and more than two million of them live alone; the lockdown will have only exacerbated their isolation. Said Laurie Boult, Fundraising Director from AGE UK, “This is a period of great anxiety for everyone, but especially for older people and their loved ones. Age UK is determined to be there for older people who need our help and especially for those who have no one else to turn to in this time of crisis. Thank you for making sure we can respond to the growing needs and unprecedented demand we’re seeing.”