A charity organisation set up to combat period poverty has expanded to more than 36 locations due to major donation support.

The Red Box Project, a community based organisation which supplies free sanitary protection in local schools, has been met with considerable success as it celebrates its second year in operation.

Since setting up in May 2017, the project has expanded to 36 drop-off donation points across South Cumbria, including Walney Youth Centre, Walney Community Centre, Ulverston Health Centre and the Drop Zone in Bath Street, Barrow.

Each red box contains a supply of sanitary towels, tampons and underwear which are placed in a discreet area within schools so girls can take out any supplies they may need.

The project was set up in response to startling numbers of girls being forced to miss school due to period poverty (when females struggle to pay for basic sanitary products), with an estimated 137,700 girls truanting in 2017.

Teachers were surveyed and almost a fifth of respondents had been told by a student that they could not attend school due to being unable to afford sanitary pads.

As well as this, research by the grassroots group Women for Independence, found nearly one in five women have experienced period poverty, causing a significant impact on their hygiene, health and wellbeing.

Project manager, Helen Wood set the project up in May 2017, expanding the project to 36 boxes across Cumbrian schools and local partner organisations.

This has enabled young women across South Cumbria to have easy access to supplies.

According to organisers, the project has been overwhelmed with donations, forcing the group to expand their drop-off locations across Cumbria.

Helen said: "We’re delighted that so many schools, colleges and partner associations have chosen to work with us and host a box.

"Our philosophy is that no young woman should miss her education because she does not have access to sanitary products.

"We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, their kind donations have enabled us to run and expand this scheme."

Anyone who would like to help The Red Box Project can get in touch via their Facebook page The Red Box Project Barrow in Furness.