AS household budgets become increasingly squeezed, it is estimated that more than 6,000 women across the UK are collecting sanitary protection from food banks every month.

In addition, there are thought to be as many as 68,000 women living on the streets and in temporary accommodation.

Three friends from Huntington – Claire Lewis, Stephanie McCusker and Sarah Myler – have decided to do something about the issue in York, collectively naming themselves the Lunar Project.

In May, they started handing out food and provisions (including Claire's homemade soup) to homeless people in the city, but soon realised that the women they saw, including those living in poverty and rough sleeping, were facing very specific needs.

Stephanie said: “Women experiencing homelessness and poverty are regularly forced to choose between purchasing food and essential sanitary items.

"It’s a choice between eating and basic hygiene that no one should have to make.”

They now go out on night-time rounds – nicknamed Moonwalks – twice a week, in a bid to combat period poverty, and are in the process of looking for sponsorship and registering as a charity.

Initially they funded themselves, but now undertake a range of fundraising activities – finding support from around the UK and as far away as Spain.

Local schools, businesses and groups have also got in on the act, with one group, Technology In Play, currently collecting and cleaning winter coats in order to distribute them with the group and two other York charities in the new year (search for York's Got You Covered on Facebook).

It is hoped that some of the challenges that have been undertaken will become annual events as word of the project spreads.

They were even joined on one of their Moonwalks by York Central MP Rachael Maskell, who subsequently mentioned the Lunar Project by name in a parliamentary debate on the provision of sanitary products.

The ladies’ future goals include buying a bigger van for Moonwalks – which would help them to increase the frequency and scope of their rounds – and creating mobile shower facilities.

Sarah said: “We all feel anything is possible, looking at what we’ve achieved in such a short space of time.

Who knows where we’ll be this time next year?”

Although relatively low, the current official figure for rough sleepers in York is 29 men and women, but the Lunar ladies have many more people on their radar.

Thanks to word of mouth, they have built up trust within the homeless community and now visit ten women regularly, with a number of others living in poverty who only require occasional help.

They have also started a “pink box” scheme, placing boxes containing a supply of pads and tampons in schools and community service centres.

If you are interested in donating items or money the group can be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lunarprojectyork/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/lunarprojectuk).

They currently have two collection points at Monk’s Cross - in Boots and at the Information Centre - where you can donate various items (such as socks, gloves and sanitary protection), while the Gillygate pub is selling specially-produced wristbands.