A BARRHEAD mum is helping to lead the fight against period poverty.

Charlene Ramsay has teamed up with Hey Girls – a social enterprise that believes girls and young women should never have to compromise their wellbeing.

The mum-of-one, who works for Barrhead-based charity Include Me 2 Club, is promoting free sanitary products and offering advice to girls and young women, as well as parents and carers.

She said: “Include Me 2 Club brought in the Hey Girls products to the James McGuire Building in Barrhead’s Main Street and, when someone buys them, a portion of that money goes into a pot to allow charities and businesses to distribute products for free.

“I decided I wanted to promote the free sanitary products, as I don’t think women should have to pay for products for something that is outwith our control.

“Women can’t control having a period, so why should we have to pay for it?

“Sanitary products are expensive. Many people are struggling to put food on the table and it’s a case of ‘what’s more important to buy – sanitary products or food?’

“That is a question many families face but access to these products should be a right, not a privilege.”

Charlene is also giving out ‘Pads for Dads’ packs to single fathers and families where two dads are in a same-sex partnership.

“The dad packs are aimed at single dads and same-sex parents,” she said. “It makes it easier for them to sit down with their daughters and explain what is going to happen.

“I think a lot of parents, especially dads, get a bit stressed about how to speak to their daughters about their changes, so this pack has the products that are needed, with some hot chocolate and a booklet to help ease that conversation.

“If there is anyone who is uncomfortable having that conversation, I’m putting myself forward to step in and help in that aspect.”

To access free sanitary products or advice, contact Charlene through her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CharleneRamsay.