Absolute Radio is teaming up with Bauer Media charity Cash for Kids this week to raise awareness of period poverty in the UK, with a dedicated fund being set up to distribute period products to underprivileged young people in our local communities.
Sally Aitchison MBE, MD of Cash for Kids:
‘Our organisation is focused on tackling the poverty that many children and young people in the UK sadly experience and, in the cost-of-living crisis, we’re finding that the poorest families are having to prioritise food and rent over items such as period products. As part of Absolute Radio’s campaign, we are ring fencing donations to distribute such items to the underprivileged young people in the communities we serve.’
Presenters across the station, from Dave Berry and Andy Bush to Sarah Champion and Sophie K, will provide a platform for important discussion across the week, with live reads supported by web homepage takeovers and social media activity bringing the issue to the forefront.
The campaign follows research which found that 1 in 10 young women in the UK can’t afford period products and nearly 2 million young women in the UK have missed school as a result of their period, many because they can’t afford period products*.
Absolute Radio content director, Paul Sylvester:
‘We’re proud at this station to be able to talk about the matters affecting our listeners, from male depression and suicide to testicular and prostate cancers. This week we’re raising awareness of this other important yet often not spoken about issue that impacts so many, to weaken the stigma and create real tangible support in our local communities.’
The campaign is being backed by the Girlguiding Association who in a recent report said the Government’s scheme to introduce free period products into schools and colleges in England is not working as well as it should*. Bauer Media titles Closer, Take a Break and That’s Life! Will also be supporting the campaign. If you’d like to make a donation, please visit the Absolute Radio website.
