A TYNEDALE factory has gifted tens of thousands of toilet roll to a charity distributing essential products to those in need during the coronavirus outbreak.

Essity’s Prudhoe Mill made the donation to In Kind Direct, set up by Prince Charles in 1996 to get consumer goods provided by companies to UK charities working domestically and abroad.

The charity’s chief executive, Rosanne Gray, was delighted with the donation and called on more companies to follow Essity’s lead.

Rosanne said: “I want to make sure that we say a huge thank you to the people of Prudhoe Mill and what they’re doing to help.

“These products that they have given us will have such an incredible impact on the elderly and people who are losing their jobs.

“We’ve seen unprecedented demand. We work with so many different companies – if charities need it, we get them through our network.

“The big message is a thank to Essity, but we need other brands and manufacturers to step up too.”

In Kind Direct works with around 4,000 charities, supporting around 600,000 people in normal times.

However, the coronavirus outbreak has seen more people in need of help.

In recent weeks, panic buying has left shop shelves bare, although Essity reassured people that it could cope with the demand last month.

While food banks are on hand to help the vulnerable in terms of food, In Kind Direct focuses on products people may not think about, but are still essential.

Rosanne continued: “So often people think about food, but hygiene products are really important.

“We’re talking to leading brands across the UK and they’re all stepping up, but we need more. This isn’t a short term problem, we’re planning for the next three to six months.

“This is about hope and the fact that together we’re able to think about others. We’ve all got big hearts and we’re seeing that from brands too.”

The public can make a financial donation at www.justgiving.com/inkinddirect.