A SCHOOL is helping to ensure female pupils have access to sanitary wear by providing free products.

Alder Grange School in Rawtenstall has decided to get involved with the Red Box Project to help girls overcome the awkwardness they sometimes have asking for sanitary products and in some cases not being able to afford them.

Two boxes, which include towels, tampons, spare underwear and educational leaflets, will be placed in the main school and sixth form building and allow pupils to have free access to the products whenever they require them.

The nationwide initiative was set up in 2017 to ensure no young woman misses school because they don’t have access to sanitary items.

Samara Barnes, Red Box Project volunteer co-ordinator for Rossendale, said: “The boxes all contain items that girls might need during their period and can have access to at any time –they can take as much as they need for free.

"I’d like to thank Tesco in Haslingden and The Shiva Charitable Trust for donating the items and the supporters of our Just Giving page.”

Sue McLoughlin, cover supervisor at Alder Grange School, said: “Also staff and pupils in our school are really good at donating and getting involved and especially so when ‘our own girls’ can benefit.”

To find out more about the Red Box Project in Rossendale go to the Facebook page The-Red Box Project – Rossendale.