Incontinence can be a side effect of cancer and cancer treatment for many men who may be left with serious bladder and bowel problems after treatment.

It can also affect men who have had a number of other illnesses, including Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Bins for Boys project is run by the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, the region’s leading cancer charity.

Men who need a place to hygienically dispose of their tampons, pouches, stomas, catheters, colostomy or ileostomy bags after cancer or illness have no places to do so when they are out and about.

Lingen Davies took evidence from a national campaign by various cancer charities who lobbied the government on the issue and wanted to create real and lasting change at local level.

Along with volunteer support, it helps raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and the long-term impact it can have with the Bins for Boys project, especially for men.

Bishop’s Castle in south Shropshire is the first Bins for Boys town in the charity’s large geographical area and so far 11 public venues have signed up, including Enterprise House, Castle Hotel, Herbies Café, The Happy Bap, SpArc Leisure Center and The town hall. .

Danny Lloyd-Jones, 36, from Oswestry, is involved in promoting the project. Danny was diagnosed with bowel cancer just before his 32nd birthday and was told on the same day that he would need major surgery and a stoma.

Danny had 86 treatments, one major surgery and two rounds of ablation. His latest scan was clear for the first time in four years.

“I had no idea what a stoma was until I was told I had to have one, which obviously changed my life,” said Danny.

“I’ve been in known shops without toilet bowls and had to change my stoma and carry my bag, which I obviously didn’t want to have to do.

“I think Bins for Boys is a brilliant project and I hope more public places will get behind it and help bring about this much-needed change.” he added.

“I’ve had people who have their own ostomies come up to me on holiday, congratulating me on walking around with a stoma with confidence.

“They said it helped them not feel so embarrassed. I don’t think you see many young people with one and the more people who can learn about these issues the better.

“I’ve found in life that most things are bigger than you and if I can do anything to raise awareness of issues like this, I’m happy to do it,” he added.

Tim Cooper, chairman of trustees Lingen Davies, said: “We know that many men fear not being able to find a toilet with cisterns, which makes them anxious, worried and humiliated. It can prevent them from leaving their homes to take part in everyday activities, such as enjoying a meal with friends at a pub or a cup of coffee in a local cafe.

“Lingen Davies register venues and provide them with Bins for Boys stickers to display on venue entrances, toilet doors, cubicles and on the bins themselves, checking the venue name on social media and adding them to our specially developed Bins. boys webpage and interactive live Google map so people can see participating locations and plan their trips accordingly. Any location that signs up and receives a bin will be added.”

Lingen Davies CEO Naomi Atkin said the charity wants public places to commit to providing a toilet bin in their men’s toilet.

“Getting a sanitary basket or an extra one from a supplier is a very cheap thing to do, but it could make a huge difference to men who are traveling and need one. We are rolling this out in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Mid Wales, the region served by Lingen Davies, and hope to encourage awareness in other areas and even nationally.

“The solution is simple. Community venues may provide sanitary bins in men’s toilets. And through the project, people who need sanitary bins will know where to find them. We hope that as many public venues as possible in the region will get behind this and commit to becoming a Bins for Boys venue.”

To sign up to become a Bins for Boys location or to find out more about the project in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Mid Wales, please visit www.lingendavies.co.uk/binsforboys