THE fight to tackle period poverty in primary and secondary has received a boost with a £250 donation from the Cornmill Shopping Centre.

Staff made the donation to Carol Marchant, project co-ordinator of The Red Box Project, Darlington, a community-based, not-for-profit initiative, which aims to support young people by providing red boxes filled with free period products to local schools.

On Saturday from 10am until 2pm, Cornmill staff and volunteers from charity will host an appeal in the shopping centre to help raise awareness of the scheme.

Susan Young, Centre Manager at the Cornmill Centre, said: “We’re inviting shoppers to drop by and find out a bit more about the project. We hope our support for the campaign will make a difference to girls within the local area who struggle to afford tampons and pads.”

Carol Marchant, co-ordinator of The Red Box Project, Darlington said: “We’re delighted the Cornmill Centre will host our appeal to help raise awareness of period poverty, as it is such a sensitive topic. Since setting up The Red Box Project Darlington just four months ago, we’ve provided 64 boxes to local schools which have been topped up each term. We wouldn’t have been able to make such an impact if it had not been for the genuine support of the local community, volunteers and companies such as the Cornmill Centre.”

To find out more about the Cornmill Shopping Centre and other promotions and events visit www.cornmillcentre.co.uk

To find out more about the Red Box Project Darlington, visit Facebook: The Red Box Project Darlington.