Period poverty is a lack of access to sanitary products due to financial reasons – and it is surprisingly common.
What was already an issue has grown substantially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, with research suggesting that 30% of girls aged 14-21 have struggle to afford to access menstrual products during lockdown (Plan International UK, 2020).
Thankfully, a local charity is lending a helping hand to ensure that no-one should face this struggle alone.
Every Month is providing people with free access to menstrual products every month.
The packs, which contain an assortment of tampons, pads and a chocolate bar, are donated to food banks, charities and shelters across the country.
Not only are staff helping people experiencing poverty across Manchester to have safer, more comfortable periods, but they’re also making a massive impact.
In 2020 alone, the charity distributed over 120,000 period products.
Although Every Month was established a few years ago, 2020 was its most difficult year and a time when its services were needed most.
Due to the ongoing lockdown, the charity witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals requiring Every Month packs, and simultaneously finding supplies was a struggle as supermarkets placed limits on how many items could be purchased.
Typically making around 800 packs every month, this has increased to over 1000 due to the effects of the pandemic.
However, this resilient local charity ensured that no-one would go without during the pandemic, raising their efforts to tackle period poverty in a variety of ways.
From hosting at-home packing parties to a variety of online fundraising methods, volunteers have continued to provide sanitary products to those most in need at this difficult time.
The latest fundraising event is the ‘Menstrual Miles Challenge’, which is to take place between 8-14 March.
Every Month is asking people to join volunteers in completing 14.5 menstrual miles, whether that’s by running, cycling, or any other way that they fancy.
This is also to celebrate the 120,000 tampons and pads that they have donated in the past 12 months, which is equivalent to 14.5 miles when placed side-by-side.
If you are experiencing period poverty, Every Month is here to help.
You can find out which food banks and shelters they regularly donate to on their website.
Keep up-to-date with any fundraising activities and how you can help through their Instagram and Facebook.
What's On
Catterall vs Eubank at AO Arena: will confidence or cocksureness pay off?
Danny Jones
The official press conference between Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank got a touch heated in Manchester today, and not necessarily for the reasons you’d think.
Although there was certainly a bit of covert bite between the local lad and Eubank (nephew of Chris Eubank Sr.) most of bickering came as a result of an exchange between the latter and promoter and boxing manager, Sam Jones.
Who knows how much of the needle between entourages is genuine and what is simply for show, but there was plenty of jokes made about minced words, stuttering, wearing shades in doors and dodging on multiple levels. Catterall himself remained quiet and calm throughout.
Harlem’s backers firmly believe there is a lot more “skill” in his corner than can be said of his Chorley-born counterpart ahead of this weekend.
Nevertheless, the Manchester regular may have stayed largely modest throughout – as has always been his way – but he still had plenty of confidence and his own team reiterated that there he’ll prove “very difficult to beat.”
He even went on argue that he is “levels above him”, rubbishing any talk of a potential knockout risk.
On the other hand, they did admit that he “can’t afford an 8 or 10-rounder” at this point in his career and a need him to put in a performance.
Meanwhile, Harlem could not have been cocksure of himself and was happy to play into the Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn’s hands in terms of the stereotypical ‘arrogant’ back-yourself kind of boxer vs the quiet, understated, underdog.
Insisting that he wants to “become a world champion” and even squeezing in a dig at fellow Brit, Conor Benn – who will be facing his cousin Eubank Jr. in a rematch this September – labelling the 28-year-old an “alleged drug cheat”.
There was even more excitement over in the ‘Small Talk’ studio set up inside the AO Arena, as recently retired MMA fighter, ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann, had an announcement of her own.
The Catterall vs Eubank press conference had another big bonus up its sleeve.
Over in the ‘Small Talk’ studio over to the side, confirmation from Eddie Hearn that Molly McCann, was announced as the latest Matchroom signing.
It was said that she expects to undertake her first seven or eight fights within the space of year, telling media that “this was always the plan” and despite “lots of offers” from different promotions, “There’s no other place [she’d] rather be.”
Hearn went on to state that he can see her competing for a title “within months”, adding: “I truly believe she’ll be a world champion.”
Featured Images — The Manc Group/press shots (supplied)
What's On
Jet2 and Greggs is offering Mancs the chance to win a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll
Thomas Melia
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Daisy Bradbury -
19th February 2021 
