Bathroom retail chain Ripples is celebrating the successful opening of a new toilet block in a secondary school in India, which was made possible thanks to funds raised from its charity hike last year.
Now officially inaugurated, the brand-new girls’ toilet block – which is located at the Government Higher Secondary School in P. Pudupatti – will give more than 155 students and members of staff access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities for the first time.
Prior to its opening, Ripples says female students just had access to a single broken squat pan, which meant they had to navigate muddy and unsafe conditions, increasing their risk of infections.
Along with the toilet facilities, the students also have access to a separate changing room with a manual incinerator for menstrual waste, improved pathways, a new handwashing station and a safe drinking water facility using a terracotta filter.
Ripples said this was all made possible thanks to having raised over £20,000 during its Mount Snowden charity hike in June 2024. The hike saw more than 30 participants – which included franchisees, designers, suppliers and friends of the brand – climbing over 1,000 meters to Wales’ highest peak.
This was all done to support Ripples’ long-standing chosen charity, The Cycle, which aims to improve sanitation in underprivileged communities.
Beyond just the construction of the new toilet block, funds also went towards bolstering The Cycle’s “Happy Periods” training programme, which aims to educate students around menstrual hygiene. As part of this, Sustainable hygiene kits, including antimicrobial reusable sanitary pads and towels, were distributed to all girls to further support long-term health and wellbeing.
“We are incredibly proud to see this life-changing project completed and officially opened,” reflected Paul Crow, Ripples’ managing director. “Having supported The Cycle for over a decade and raised more than £85,000 to aid their crucial work, we know just how transformative these sanitation solutions can be.
“The Snowdon challenge was an incredible way to raise awareness and funds and seeing the impact firsthand is truly humbling. These new facilities will improve the health, dignity, and education of young girls for years to come.”
T S Padmapriya, CEO of The Cycle, said that the project had already changed lives for those at the school. She commented: “It’s not only improving the health and hygiene of girls but has also created safe access and a dignified environment that supports their education and long-term wellbeing. This project is an investment in brighter futures and we’re so grateful to Ripples for their incredible deeds and commitment to making this possible.”
Ripples has been vocal about its support of The Cycle for many years. In 2023, the retail chain completed a four-day bike ride from Bath to Edinburgh covering 420 miles, which raised another £20,000 for the organisation. Ripples MD Paul Crow has also previously spoken with kbbreview about the rewarding experiences he’s gained by working with charities like The Cycle.
