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A cycle challenge taking place next weekend is aiming to raise funds to distribute sustainable period pads to every Year Six girl for the third year in a row.
Islanders are invited to take part in The Menstrual Cycle Bike Ride, organised by Soroptimist International Jersey, on Sunday 25 June at Les Quennevais from 12:30 to 2:30.
Participants can complete either 28 laps of the track or 28 minutes of cycling, mirroring the 28 days of the average menstrual cycle.
Soroptimist International Jersey have teamed up with the Jersey Sustainable Period Products Project (JSPPP) team to raise awareness of period poverty in Jersey and the range of sustainable period products now available.
In partnership, the two organisations have been able to provide all Year Six girls with a sustainable period pack to take home, distributed in April this year for the second time.
While the Government currently pilots a scheme which provides free period products to schools, these are non-sustainable disposable products.
Viki Lucas, a founder of JSPPP, said: "We had the privilege of presenting the girls at Janvrin School with theirs. The girls were so engaged and inspirational in their views about protecting the planet."
She added: "They showed the maturity and curiosity of young women who can decide how they manage their periods. For us, this experience reinforced the need for us to continue with our project and we are delighted that Soroptimist International Jersey has committed to supporting the Year Six project."
Pictured: One pack of everyday pads has 16 individual pads, which equated to roughly 19.5 square feet of plastic.
JSPPP aims to educate local students and women about the benefits of reusable and plastic-free period products for people and the planet.
Louise Carson, organiser of Going Zero Waste Jersey, said: "It is not very well known that one pack of pads is the equivalent to five plastic bags."
"With menstrual products being the fifth most common item found on Europe's beaches, more common than single use coffee cups, cutlery or straws we all need to be proactively using sustainable alternatives. We have also seen evidence of these on our local beaches too."
Christine Spink, Soroptimist Programme Action Officer, said: "We are delighted to have the support of St Michael's School and also a representative from a new local business, Liberty Underwear, with sustainable products to purchase."
You can register for the Menstrual Cycle here or pay on the day.
Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. Evie Bikes will be available to hire at Les Quennevais for those unable to bring a bike to the event.
Pictured top: Last year's Menstrual Cycle Bike Ride at Les Quennevais
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