Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance have announced that Bag a Bra day 2014 will take place on 22nd May and are asking supporters to save any unwanted bras for recycling, in order to raise vital funds to keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives. Now in its fifth year, this highlight of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance fund-raising calendar takes place in May every year and generates a significant amount of donated bras, whilst raising awareness for the charity’s on going recycling campaign.
All donated bras are collected by Bag It Up, the charity’s recycling partner, and shipped to West Africa for resale at affordable prices by street traders. Being able wear a bra gives women status and helps to improve their self-esteem; two very emotive reasons for donating an unwanted bra or two.
John Perry, Chief Executive, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance commented; ‘By recycling unwanted bras, you are helping us not only to save lives across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, but also to enable individuals abroad to buy affordable bras.’
Unwanted bras can be collected in one of the charity’s special pink ‘Bag a Bra’ bags and then placed in a charity textile recycling bank. Details of the location of recycling banks throughout Hampshire and The Isle of Wight can be found at: www.hiowairambulance.org.uk. Alternatively, anyonewanting further information or a pink recycling bag should ring the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance office on 023 8033 3377
So if you are having a clear out then please remember not to bin your unwanted bras, and any other textiles or foot wear – they may have faded and no longer appeal, but for someone they will be the perfect fit. The recycling of textiles is the second largest single source of income for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and all monies raised from the donation of unwanted bras, shoes and textiles will help to keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives.