The union have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the difficulties homeless and low income women face in being able to afford sanitary products.

The “Tampons Don’t Grow on Trees” campaign will coincide with “Homelessness Week”, and students are being encouraged to donate sanitary products at the donation points provided in the Union or make a monetary contribution at the tills in Essentials.

All money will be donated to homeless and refugee charities in Leeds.

The campaign hopes to educate people about the difficult situations vulnerable people, such as the homeless, refugees and those on low incomes, have to face, often including a choice between buying sanitary products or food.

The campaign is being led by Freya Govus, LUU’s Welfare Officer, who said: “Choosing between starvation and humiliation should never be a decision people have to make.  

“Sanitary products are often seen as a luxury item and are taxed accordingly, an issue that no longer applies in our own shop.  

In our student shop we do not make any profit from periods – all sanitary products are sold at cost price.

By launching “Tampons Don’t Grow on Trees” during “Homelessness Week”, I hope to raise awareness of the cost and indignity of the tampon tax and encourage students and the general public to donate products or cash to support this important message.”

The issue of taxation of sanitary products has been at the forefront of national news this week, after politicians voted against scrapping the “tampon tax”.

The campaign is running until 4th November.

Jessica Murray