THIS is the Bolton graduate who came up with the ask for a ‘Package for Sandy’ idea to tackle period poverty.

Emma Parkinson launched the scheme in her hometown to offer support for those who are struggling to afford sanitary products after seeing a need for it in Bolton.

Now it is being rolled out across the country in Morrisons supermarkets.

The 25-year-old is Community Champion at Morrisons Atlas Mills store in Chorley Old Road where initiative was first launched

‘Package for Sandy’ offers discreet support for those who may be in emergency need or are struggling for sanitary products.

They can call into Morrisons, ask for a ‘Package for Sandy’ and they will receive a free envelope with two single sanitary towels and no questions asked.

Within weeks of the campaign launch in Bolton, Morrisons have now introduced it into all of its 497 stores in the UK in a bid to beat period poverty.

Emma, 25, said the issue had been close to her heart since she was young. She grew up in Harwood and went to school in Breightmet.

Emma said: “Period poverty is a real problem. Going to a school in a predominantly low-income area gave me an insight into what it’s like to have no access to sanitary wear.

“It’s shocking that young girls and women go without sanitary products through no fault of their own and it can really damage self-esteem. We have had a lovely response from customers and it makes you realise how widespread the issue is.”

Emma added: “Morrisons have been amazing and I am really pleased we can help to support those in need across in our stores across the whole of the UK.”

Emma graduated last year with a BA Hons in Theatre and the pandemic meant her freelance work in the arts dried up.

She applied for a job with Morrisons and was quickly appointed Community Champion and has been working with local organisations to help those in need.

Dr Nicola Shaw, an academic coordinator at the University of Bolton, who taught Emma, said: “It is fantastic to see one of our own having such an impact on women’s lives all over the UK.”

Following their recent Buy One Donate One campaign on sanitary products, Morrisons is also donating the same range to be handed out to local charities by community champions nationwide.