​Calls made for free sanitary products for the poorest after foodbank launches a funding drive

Some women in a poverty-stricken Glasgow housing scheme are so poor they are having to get sanitary towels from a foodbank.

Drumchapel Foodbank is raising cash to buy the hygiene products because some people who use its services cannot afford them.

In the past two weeks, it has raised more than £625 to buy packets of sanitary towels.

Oonagh Brown, foodbank development worker, said: "Sanitary items are extremely important to the women who attend the Drumchapel Foodbank as they are a necessity.

"Without them many women are forced to make their own and there are feelings of shame and discomfort for many associated with this."

Brown said action must be taken to provide the products for free for those in need. She said: “If people are in a financial crisis there should be something put in place where female hygiene products should be made readily available so women don't need to go without them."

If people are in a financial crisis, female hygiene products should be made readily available

Eleanor Macleod, foodbank volunteer added: "We would like to ask people to keep donating to this project.

"In the last few months we have been struggling to keep up with the high demand for this service and need donations of both food and hygiene items to continue to support people in the local and wider community."

Drumchapel Foodbank, which is run by the Kingsridge Cleddans Economic Development Group, has been running for two years and has helped almost 800 people in that time.

As well as raising money for sanitary products, it is also looking for food donations.

To help, visit here or call 0141 944 3335.