Bright Tights donation funds students’ sanitary products

SCHOOLGIRLS across the Bailiwick will receive free sanitary products for the next year.

Girls at Les Varendes have been learning about 'period poverty' for world menstural hygene day next week. The Bright Tights charity have donated menstrual health products to be given out to girls in years 6, 7 and 11 as part of their SHARE (sexual health and relationship education) classes. Left to right: Ann Battye, Treasurer of Bright Tights Charity, Sophie De Carteret, 16, Ellen Diment, 16, Naomi Miller, 15, Scarlett Kenneally, 15, Scarlett Mauger, 15, Elisabeth Gardiner, 16, Kalani Neild-Le Conte, 15 and Pip Gallagher, 16. They are holding menstrual cups which were given out to girls in yr 11. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 29573630)

Reusable pads are being given to Years 6 and 7 girls, and Year 11 girls menstrual cups, after a £5,600 donation from Bright Tights allowing the Sexual Health and Relationship Education initiative to continue.

Today is World Menstrual Hygiene Day, and the two groups have banded together to help prevent period poverty, increase awareness of the female anatomy, break taboos and encourage early identification of cancers.

‘We’ve been giving menstrual products for about 18 months but we weren’t sure if we could carry on, so Bright Tights saved the day,’ said Kate Corcoran, Share senior educator.

Period poverty is being unable to afford sanitary products, which can discourage students from attending school or activities due to their period.

‘Really it’s a great collaboration. This is a big donation from Bright Tights that we are incredibly grateful for.’

The Bright Tights charity have donated menstrual health products to be given out to girls in years 6, 7 and 11 as part of their SHARE (sexual health and relationship education) classes. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 29573628)

Mrs Corcoran and Bright Tights treasurer Ann Battye spoke to Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre Year 11 students. Pupils received leaflets and menstrual cups and had a productive discussion.

‘The project is running across all the schools on the island, and in Sark and Alderney too, so it’s a real bailiwick-wide initiative,’ Mrs Corcoran said.

Hosting the sessions are an opportunity to talk about the body to become breast and gynae aware.

‘It’s been really lovely to have Ann here from Bright Tights to bring her expertise. The girls have been really receptive and taken the messages on board. We don’t usually split groups but this has helped us have frank and productive discussions.’

Mrs Battye said Bright Tights was delighted to fund the products and fulfil the awareness-raising aim of the charity, so girls know when something isn’t right.

‘Bright Tights as a charity raises awareness of and supports local women practically, financially and emotionally through gynaecological cancers,’ Mrs Battye said.

It also funds detection research and treatment for womb, ovaries, vulva, vagina and cervix cancers.

‘It tied in really well and was an opportunity to bring the symptoms to their attention and break the taboo about the various cancers.’

Elisabeth Gardner, 16, said: ‘We learned about all the types of gynae cancers, and it’s really good to know how we can spot these things in advance before it gets serious. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in terms of education about female cancers, because it’s so important to find it early.’

She calculated that using menstrual cups has a lifetime cost of around £30, compared with thousands for disposable pads and tampons.

‘I will definitely use mine. They seem really useful and are more financially and environmentally sustainable.’

Ellen Diment, also 16, said: ‘I really like these lessons because they give lots of information I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise. I feel like I’ve really benefited from it.’

Share educators give separate awareness presentations on male cancers.