THE trustees of Blackburn charity The John Bury Trust awarded two grants to help tackle ‘period poverty’ on International Women’s Day.

It highlights that many women struggle to afford basic sanitary protection each month with a significant impact on their hygiene, health and wellbeing.

Ellen Rintoul from Revidge Fold Guides, Blackburn, was given £650 towards a trip to Nepal in summer where she will teach women’s health including the menstrual cycle. Blackburn homeless charity Nightsafe was sent a donation of £250 specifically for sanitary protection for the young women they help, now an annual grant.