A FACEBOOK group set up to help the homeless in Pembrokeshire and beyond has worked with a Haverfordwest society to donate to a women’s refuge.

The Haverfordwest Ladies Circle has made a £100 donation to the Homeless Pembrokeshire Facebook group to buy sanitary products for women living at Pembrokeshire’s refuge, as well as those supported by Hafan Cymru.

“I approached the Ladies Circle on January 9 and gave a speech on why I believe that homeless people need help, and women especially who are desperate for sanitary protection,” said Amanda.

“If they have to choose between food and sanitary protection they go for food and make do with the rest.”

Period poverty has become an issue for many women across the UK, with research by the charity Plan International suggesting one in 10 girls and women - aged between 14 and 21 – has been affected at some point.

Amanda added: “Being a woman you wonder how other people manage if they can’t afford to buy sanitary products.”

Michelle Reason, of the Ladies Circle said: “Amanda came and did a talk which explained this issue and made us realise this was a really good cause to support.”

The group were also visited by housing officers from Pembrokeshire County Council, who gave an overview of homelessness in the county.

They described how on the last annual rough sleepers count in Pembrokeshire, only two people were found bedding down on the streets.

They explained that a bigger problem was hidden homelessness and a high demand for social housing, with a trend of people in the county resorting to sofa surfing in other people’s homes.

The Homeless Pembrokeshire Facebook group was set up at the end of last year , but already has more than 700 members, who first joined to help Amanda knit hats for the homeless over the winter months.

The Haverfordwest Ladies Circle will host an evening with medium Karen Wilson on March 2, at Haverfordwest Rugby Club to raise money for Mind Pembrokeshire.

Door open at 7pm, for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £10. Contact Michelle Reason for details on: 01348 831981.