TARMAC’S Aberthaw site has led a campaign to help tackle the issue of ‘period poverty’ across the local area.

With an estimated 137,700 girls missing school every year because they cannot afford sanitary protection during their periods, the team across the cement plant have used the past few weeks to collect sanitary products which will now be distributed to schools across the Vale.

Tarmac has donated through the Red Box Project - a nationwide initiative which provides free menstrual products for young people in local schools to ensure that no young person misses school because they have their period.

The donation was made on International Women’s Day (March 8) when the Aberthaw team and colleagues from the Tarmac business and Women in Cement celebrated and reflected on the progress being made within the cement industry and the extraordinary role women are playing within the company.

Tarmac Aberthaw’s cement production manager, Nicola Bartholomey called on colleagues to donate products.

She said: “Research has shown that a staggering number of young girls and women are living in period poverty, with many resorting to use socks, newspaper, toilet tissue and kitchen paper once a month, every month.

“No one should find themselves in this position and we are keen to play our part locally.”

Tarmac’s appeal has meant more than seven boxes of sanitary products have been donated to the Red Box Project.

The drive was also supported by the certified cruelty-free brand providing a range of natural and sustainable period care products, TOTM, and Tarmac’s contractor partner AT Environmental Wales Ltd which donated £100 of sanitary products to the cause.

Ms Bartholomey added: “Progress is being made in that people are talking about period poverty and slowly action is being taken but there’s also the devasting realisation that so many young girls in the Vale of Glamorgan and across the rest of the UK find themselves in this situation month after month.

We are thrilled to have collected so many products which will go some way to helping many young girls locally.”

Tarmac Aberthaw has committed to continuing to collect sanitary donations to help the growing numbers of young girls in period poverty.

TOTM marketing manager, Fee Bassett said: “As a Welsh brand, we're happy to support Tarmac and The Red Box Project as they tackle period poverty in the local area.”