THE Red Box Project is a community-based, not-for-profit initiative that was founded in 2017 by three friends who wanted equal access to sanitary products, and education, for all young women in their local area, by providing red boxes filled with free period products to local schools.

The Project recently appointed a new Crediton and Exeter co-ordinator, Louise Martin.

Louise has been working hard in the area establishing community collection points for donations of sanitary products and pants as well as distribution points for products in local schools etc.

Louise explained: “To-date, there are currently 3,791 boxes in schools in the UK.

“I have boxes in all the schools in Crediton and at Exeter College, Young Devon and five schools in Exeter.

“I would really like people to donate sanitary products and pants at any one of our donation points in Exeter and Crediton:

Crediton Tesco (Wellparks), Crediton Morrisons, Co-op, The Red Deer, Crediton Library, The Mint Methodist Church, Exeter, Lush Exeter, Exeter Library, Sainsbury’s at Pinhoe and possibly Crediton Town Council.

“Also you can donate through our fundraising page at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/redboxprojectexeterandcrediton?utm_term=xNGgavPmX .

“Or buy something off of our Amazon wish list at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/7rguvR2?ref_=wl_share .

“We also have a “Facebook” page at: https://www.facebook.com/louiseatredboxproject/ .”

Louise said that the initiative to tackle #periodpoverty and provide sanitary products to any young person who needs them was really helping.

Louise thanked her mother and husband for their support in her work in the area and added that all the products donated benefit young people in the UK.

The Project recently called on the government to ensure all students in full-time compulsory education are supported, including those in special educational settings and pupil referral units.

QE School in Crediton has four donation boxes, one at its Barnfield Reception, one at Western Road Student Support, one at College House and one at Boarding.

Donations, which must be sealed, are welcomed from students and the public. Students are able to ask for products, no questions asked.

Hazel Evely, Community Champion for the Crediton Morrisons store, said: “We have put a red box by the customer services area behind the tills.

“The collection is part of the national Red Box Project which is an attempt to end period poverty.

“We hope that our customers will donate sanitary towels and tampons to help girls in our local schools.”