Our most decorated Paralympian has backed calls for an end to “heartbreaking” period poverty.
Dame Sarah Storey, who has 17 gold medals, has joined the likes of Spice Girl Mel B and author Giovanna Fletcher to support the Sunday Mirror’s End Period Poverty campaign.
We are calling for England and Wales to be brought in line with Scotland by making sanitary products free to women and girls.
Dame Sarah, 45, who is mum to Louisa, nine, and five-year-old Charlie, told how she had heard of kids offering to give their pocket money back so their mums can afford to buy the period products they need.
She said: “I couldn’t imagine having to face that. We must recognise these products are a life essential.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear how young women and girls are unable to manage with dignity every month.
“When it feels like you don’t have control, it can have huge effects on confidence and mental wellbeing.
“We know staying physically active can help manage cramps and other symptoms that happen every month but without access to sanitary products, young women and girls are avoiding exercise and sport, too.”
Our campaign has revealed that girls often miss school and social events because they cannot afford tampons or sanitary towels.
Some have even been forced to use socks, tea towels and newspapers for protection.
England rugby captain Sarah Hunter and cyclists Georgia Holt and Milly Tanner are also backing our campaign.
Georgia, 22, said: “It’s extremely important that as many barriers as possible are removed from girls making their way into sport.
"Easy and free access to sanitary products is imperative.”
And Milly, 23, said: “Being on your period is the last thing you want to be worrying about when performing on the global stage.
“It’s a common topic of conversation amongst female athletes, around whether your next competition has the potential to be ruined by your period.”
Earlier this year, the Lionesses made menstruation a talking point after they asked Nike to consider changing the colour of their white shorts.
Wimbledon has also announced it will drop its strict all-white dress code to allow female competitors to wear dark undershorts.
Backing our campaign, gold medallist British sailor Eilidh McIntyre adds: “The fact that there are women out there who are unable to participate in life due to their periods let alone sport is appalling.”
Professional ocean racer Pip Hare says: “Things are getting better, but in the 21st century, access to decent affordable period products shouldn't be holding girls or women back from the benefits of exercise, the camaraderie of playing in a team, or the sheer exhilaration of achieving something you thought was out of reach. Let's not put more obstacles in the way: stop period poverty now."
