A SCHOOLGIRL is 'being the change she wants to see in the world' by helping to provide sanitary products for young women in schools across Bury.

When 12-year-old Emily Fentem learnt that there were girls who stay off school during their periods because their families are unable to afford sanitary products, she immediately looked for ways to help.

Bury Church of England High School pupil Emily decided to organise a cake sale at the North West Ambulance Service control centre in Manchester.

With the £60 she raised, the youngster purchased a trolley filled with pads, tampons, knickers and other sanitary items for school pupils across Bury.

These were donated to The Red Box Project Bury, which was launched in January to do just this.

Emily said: "We saw a donation box in Tesco for The Red Box Project Bury. The issue was something relevant to girls around my age and older, and we thought it was something that we could help with.

"I decided to run a fundraiser at school. I was really happy with how much we raised. It meant we would be able to help a lot of people."

Emily was shopping with her mum at Tesco when they spotted a donation pot for the The Red Box Project Bury.

When they got back home, they researched the charity and decided that Emily would help raise money for them as part of a school project, The Archbishop of York Youth Trust.

Emily is also organising a sleepover and movie marathon on Friday, June 28 for her 20th Bury Seedfield Methodist Girlguides, with the help of her leader Karen Ainscoe.

The group will discuss the issue while working towards their new Guide badge for ending 'period poverty'.

Mum Jill Fentem said: "Emily was shocked when she found out that people can't afford what you think would be basics.

"It brought to light what others unfortunately do not have.

"I took her shopping and we bought sanitary items for other girls.

"At the sleepover, the girls will be discussing period poverty and looking at what they can do to tackle it."

The Red Box Project, which launched in Bury in January, currently has provisions at The Elton High School, St John's CE Primary School in Radcliffe, St Peter's CE Primary School and Fairfield Community Primary School.

A further six schools have already committed to join the scheme and others are welcome.

Bury coordinator Lisa Street said: "We are working to ensure that young women do not miss out on their education because they do not have sanitary products.

"What Emily has done is amazing. It made us really emotional to learn that she was helping her peers.

"Thank you so much Emily and Jill for your phenomenal act of kindness."