Customers of a Northallerton building society have been praised for their support of a North Yorkshire women’s refuge.
After being shocked by statistics that revealed one in ten girls between the ages of 14 and 21 in the UK have been unable to afford sanitary products, the town’s Yorkshire Building Society decided to ask customers if they could donate products as part of collections held in the branch each month.
They chose Broadacres-run women’s refuge as the beneficiaries of the latest collection, and even the building society were overwhelmed by the response from the public.
Branch manager Lisa Forster said: “When customers saw what we were doing, in most cases they would leave the branch and come back in minutes later having just bought sanitary products.
“It was by far the best collection we have done to date and we’re delighted to have been able to donate the items to the refuge.
“I would particularly like to mention Jonathan Severs, the member of staff who took responsibility for this collection, liaising with the refuge and really promoting the cause.”
Michaela Thomas, refuge co-ordinator, said: “Period poverty is becoming a big issue nationally and it’s sad to think that women can’t afford to pay for essentials like sanitary products.
“In most cases, the women living in the refuge come to us at short notice, having had to leave everything behind to escape domestic violence.
“Many have children so the small amount of money they do get has to be stretched a long way, so not having to worry about buying sanitary products each month is a big help.
“We would like to thank Yorkshire Building Society and their customers for their amazing support.”
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