A TEENAGER has started a scheme to help provide free sanitary products to those who don’t have access to them.

Yasmin Mitchell, 13, set up the non-profit organisation Women and Girls Together last week after learning not everyone had access to sanitary products.

The group, based in Basildon, collects donations from the community, and distributes them to charities in and around south Essex.

Yasmin’s mum Leanne Mitchell, 34, has explained how her daughter was inspired.

She said: “Yasmin came up with the idea after learning that not everyone had access to sanitary products, and this played on her mind.

“She asked me if there was something she could do and we came up with the idea of encouraging the community to donate  items, which she could them give them back out into the community to those who need the products. Women and Girls Together was born.

“Almost instantly we had people offering generous donations and wanting to get involved, and we have already donated to Basildon Mind, Motivated Minds, and across the community. We also are donating to the Billericay Food Bank and The Craig Tyler Trust this week.”

Yasmin suffered a stroke at birth, and was then diagnosed as having cerebral palsy. She was also found to be epileptic two years ago, and Leanne said that this only made her more proud of how determined her daughter has been to help other people.

Miss Mitchell said: “Yasmin doesn’t let anything slow her down, she has the desire to do good in the world and show everyone love and encouragement. Our whole family - me, her nan Nicola, grandad Eammon, and grandma Jean - are so incredibly proud.”

As well as distributing to charities, Yasmin is also hoping to start donating to schools soon too. 

The group accepts products including sanitary towels, tampons, deodorants and wipes. For hygiene reasons all products must be sealed.

To donate any products, you need to contact the Women and Girls together Facebook page at www.facebook.com/womenandgirlstogether, who will then arrange a collect or drop-off point.