Devonport businesses and organisations are being encouraged to get behind a March Dignity Drive that supports those struggling to afford sanitary products, through community donations.

Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff said Share the Dignity is an important initiative that highlights how access to sanitary items should be a right, not a privilege.

Cr Rockliff joined with Diamonds of Devonport Ambassador Carla Pizzirani-Rand and participating business Terry White Pharmacy (Valley Road) today, calling on the Devonport community to get on board.

“Council has been a regular supporter of Share the Dignity for many years and also participated in last year’s It’s In The Bag campaign, which distributes bags of toiletries and sanitary items to those in need at Christmas time,” Cr Rockliff said.

“For those wanting to donate, Council will have a collection bin at its Customer Service counter and also at the Bass Strait Maritime Centre. Our Community Services team is also happy to collect donations from local businesses and community groups that do their own collections.”

Cr Rockliff said as part of this year’s Diamonds of Devonport event on Tuesday, 8 March, attendees could leave donations of sanitary items in the collection box.

Mrs Pizzirani-Rand said it was important to raise the profile of such a worthy cause which she admits was something she knew little of, until she signed up her business Face Bar.

“Being able to afford sanitary items is something many of us take for granted, but for some it’s legitimately a luxury when it shouldn’t be,” Mrs Pizzirani-Rand said.

“Helping out those who are doing it tough is the very least we can do as a community, and I hope other businesses and organisations can help by signing up as a collection point.”

For more information head to the website at www.sharethedignity.org.au

Photo: Encouraging other Devonport businesses and organisations to support the Share the Dignity drive for March are (from left) Diamonds of Devonport ambassador Carla Pizzirani-Rand, Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff and Terry White Pharmacy Assistant Shannon Goss.