STROUD businesswoman Berith Sandgren-Clarke is putting her pampering skills to good use next year when she visits a village in the Philippines where people live in severe poverty.

Berith, 50, a mother of two, has started collecting items for hygiene boxes for the women living in the village which is located a few miles outside the country’s capital, Manila.

Her plan is to get the boxes sent off before she heads to the country herself on Valentine’s Day next year.

“I am very excited to get the chance to go over there,” said Berith, who lives off Bowbridge Lane in Stroud, which is also where she runs her business 2Binspired.

Berith, who is also a grandmother, got involved with the Philippine Community Fund project through friends from her church, the Stroud Christian Fellowship.

PCF works in the most depressed areas of the Philippines. It currently has five ongoing programmes in a large slum area in Tondo, Manila, San Jose Cemetery in Navotas, Manila and Baguio rubbish dump.

“I wanted to get involved but was struggling to see how I could be helpful in any way,” she said.

“I thought about sending money but then it occurred to me that it would be nicer for these people to receive something personal to let them know that someone out there is thinking of them.

“I’m not a nurse or a teacher or a social worker but then I thought maybe these women could do with a bit of pampering.

“The women who work in these rubbish dumps are without some of the most basic things that we take for granted including dental hygiene products and sanitary towels.

“Unfortunately we cannot send over items that will add to the country’s landfill problem but I am looking into the possibility of menstrual mooncups.”

If anyone could donate items such as body lotion, deodorant, talc, combs or flannels then please contact Berith on 01453 753546.