Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre (LRCC) provides practical and emotional support across South Lanarkshire and its support workers had noticed an increase in demand for some of the essentials in life.

As a result, LRCC now provides wellbeing bags, either for families or individuals, containing items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairbrushes, toothpaste, notebooks, pens, blankets and candles.

However, in supporting upwards of 450 survivors each year, supplies are hard to come by in the quantities they now need.

Through the Community Wish List, LRCC was contacted by Sandra Martin, managing director of Hamilton-based Signature Serviced Apartments, who was keen to help.

She said: “To be without these sorts of everyday essentials is a terrible enough experience, but when you consider what these survivors have been through, it doesn’t bear thinking about what they have to cope with.

“How could I not help under these circumstances? I hope that it helps to make their lives a little easier, and helps the centre in this aspect of the huge amount of great work that they do.”

Jennifer Mercer, from LRCC, said: “Our service provides emotional and practical support to survivors of sexual violence and we have also been working hard to meet the needs of those survivors who are additionally struggling to cope through the current cost of living crisis.

“This has meant a significant increase in requests for support to source the most basic of essentials and Sandra’s generous donation of these items and many more means we are able to provide for those most in need.

“To be supported by a local business is deeply meaningful and touching, not only to those of us who work at LRCC, but also to all those we support.”

The Community Wish List is supported by South Lanarkshire Council’s Community Engagement Team.

The chair of the council's Finance and Corporate Resources Committee, Councillor Lesley McDonald, said: "This is another great example of the Community Wish List and the benefits it can bring to local communities and organisations.

"I would like to thank all the companies who have so generously donated so far."