A care home for disabled veterans is appealing for toiletries for its vulnerable residents.

The Royal Star & Garter in Upper Brighton Road, Surbiton, is asking individuals and families in the area to donate items such as liquid soap, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm and toothpaste.

The care home residents and their partners who are disabled or who live with dementia usually buy these products during shopping visits with their carers, or receive them from family and friends. But now all visits to the home have stopped as part of infection management protocol during the coronavirus health crisis, there is a shortage.

The charity, which is also limited to how much it can buy locally due to shopping restrictions, is asking for the following new and unused products:

1. Body Spray (male and female)
2. Deodorant (male and female)
3. Dental fixtures
4. Shampoo (male and female)
5. Shower gel (male and female)
6. Liquid soap
7. Toothpaste
8. Conditioner
9. Hairspray
10. Lip balm
11. Steradent dental cleaner

Home manager Helena Maher said: “Personal care is hugely important to our residents, supporting their wellbeing and dignity. So whether it’s an individual donation from a family, or a bulk donation from a hotel, whatever we receive will make a real difference to the veterans in our care.”

Any individuals or hotels with surplus toiletry stock are asked to leave donations at the designated drop-off point at the front of the Home in clearly marked polythene bags. Staff will be safely checking this at regular points during the day.

The public are asked to drop off donations of toiletries as part of their daily exercise routine. They should also take all necessary precautions and observe social distancing.