Toiletry charity project launched in Fenland

Published: 07:00, 13 July 2019

A project which aims to help young people access essential items they might not be able to afford has been rolled out in Fenland.

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to get behind the Essentials By Sue project, which works to distribute toiletries, sanitary products and other everyday items to schools, colleges and Foodbanks.

And donation points have now been set up at several sites in Wisbech, March and Chatteris.

Essentials by Sue is launched at Cromwell Community College in Chatteris, one of the colleges involved in the project. Pictured, from left, are Rosie Cooke, Fenland District Council’s Community Safety Projects Officer; Joanne Roberts, Child Protection Officer at Cromwell Community College, and Jane Horn, Executive Principal. (13720305)

The scheme was established three years ago Cambridgeshire crime reduction officer Sue Loaker, after two 12-year-old girls were caught shoplifting toiletries in Ely.

Project co-ordinator Rosie Cooke, who is a community safety projects officer for Fenland District Council, said: “Many of us take buying toiletries, sanitary items and underwear for granted.

“However, there are some that struggle to get regular access to these everyday basics.

“Our fear is that a lack of these items not only causes discomfort but can lead to embarrassment and bullying by their peers.

“This can perpetuate a cycle of low self-esteem.

“In the worst cases, police have seen young people resorting to crime in order to try and get hold of these ‘essentials’.”

The Fenland branch of the project was launched at the Cromwell Community College in Chatteris, which is one of the schools that is backing the scheme.

Executive principal Jane Horn said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project and to help the young people in Fenland.

“As a community, we need to ensure that accessibility to basic toiletries is available to all and not seen as a luxury which only some can access.”

If you are interested in supporting the Essentials by Sue programme in Fenland, you can take donations to any of the following locations:

March Police Station

Fenland District Council customer care centres at Fenland Hall, March and The Boathouse, Wisbech

Chatteris Community Hub

Wisbech Police Station.

Anyone interested in setting up a donation point should email rcooke@fenland.gov.uk or phone 07770 643378 for more details.

Human Interest Allister Webb