A GROUP set up to combat period poverty is celebrating the Government’s promise to provide free sanitary products for schoolgirls.

From today, state schools can now order free period products to help prevent children missing school if they don’t have access to products at home.

The Brighton branch of the Red Box Project was set up two years ago to address the issue.

It was launched to provide red crates containing sanitary towels, tampons, underwear and tights for schoolgirls across the city.

Shocking statistics reveal one in ten UK girls between the age of ten and 21 have at some point been unable to afford sanitary products, while 42 per cent have had to improvise using socks or tissue.

Nearly half of them have missed a full day of school due to their period.

The project’s Brighton branch was set up by volunteers Emma Legg, Bramble Wallace and Chelle McCann.

Emma, from Hove, said she was “immensely proud” of the group’s achievement today.

She said: “We estimated there are almost 2,000 girls in Brighton and Hove who might not be able to afford sanitary products. Girls have been missing school, losing confidence and putting their health at risk.

“But now we’ve managed to get red boxes in every primary, secondary and junior school in Brighton and Hove.

“Meanwhile the Red Box Project has taken off across the country and beyond. It’s even expanded to Tokyo and the US.

“It’s amazing that in two years we’ve achieved so much we’re able to close.”

Emma and the other volunteers have also been placing red boxes in charity shops with the help of the Brighton community group Love George Street, as well as working to sweep aside the taboo and stigma around periods.

Emma said: “We’d get a lot of funny looks going down the road with armfuls of sanitary products.

“Some people were surprised by the big need for them.

“They would often say you can get hold of own-brand sanitary towels for 50p at the supermarket.

“But for people already using food banks, that just isn’t affordable. A lot of people can’t comprehend that, but it’s true.

“The feedback we’ve had is incredible. Pupils say they’re relieved and women say they wish this project had existed when they were at school.

“The new Government scheme is a massive deal for us, but period poverty remains a huge problem. There’s still lots to do.”