Shildon councillor's mission to end period poverty in primary schools

Shildon Town Councillor Shirley Quinn was first made aware of the need for free feminine hygiene products after she was approached by a headteacher who said there was a problem with period poverty at the school.

Cllr Quinn, who is a governor for Timothy Hackworth Primary School, said she knew something had to be done and set out to make products available in schools around the area.

She said: "The headteacher told me that actually, the problem was massive, and some girls are staying off school because they don't have the products they need.

"When they miss a day at school they'll never get the chance to go over what they've missed because the curriculum now is so packed.

"It's not ok that in this day and age our young girls are missing a day of education because they do not have basic hygiene products."

Cllr Quinn contacted the Durham branch of The Red Box Project, an organisation which arranges for free sanitary products and underwear to be stocked in schools around the UK, and within a few weeks a further six schools in County Durham became Red Box stockists.

She added: "I couldn't rest knowing that some girls were missing school, I wanted it sorted as quickly as possible so I funded the boxes and they are in place now.

"The feedback we have had from all of the schools has been fantastic, and we've already had lots of donations which is brilliant."

Sanitary products, wet wipes, underwear and tights can be donated to Shildon Town Council offices and the Shildon Alive community hub.

Cash donations are also welcome, and Cllr David Reynolds and Cllr Kelly Ambrosini have also made monetary donations.

Shildon Town Clerk Tracey Bellas, who has helped Cllr Quinn bring the scheme to Shildon, Wear Valley and Coundon, added: "It's important that we support our young girls that would otherwise miss valuable time at school. We're pleased that the boxes have so far been presented to six primary schools and we will continue to offer our support to this campaign."

For information about the Red Box Project visit redboxproject.org/