Bra Collection For The Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance

27 May 2010, 00:00

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is asking women who have bras they no longer need to donate them to help raise vital funds for the charity.

Like most textiles, bras can be recycled to raise much needed funds for the charity.  But better than that, they are worth a great deal more than ordinary textiles, and once they have been sorted and distributed, they are sold on to women in West Africa who can seldom afford new bras.  This is not only good for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, but also allows local West African women the opportunity to buy and wear bras which can help them in many ways, including increasing their self esteem.  Many companies, groups and individuals around the county are involved in Bag a Bra Day and donations are coming in from as far away as Wales, and New Zealand!

John Perry, CEO of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said "This is a fantastic initiative which is so worthwhile, and has advantages for us all.  Our recycling partners Bag It Up, have arranged for these bras to be sent out to Africa, and we are very pleased to be able to do something for others, whilst raising funds to help keep your Air Ambulance flying.  Please help by bagging up all your unwanted bras and placing them in one of our yellow recycling banks, and we can give you the location of your nearest bank. Don't worry if you can't do this now, as we will continue to collect bras throughout the year"

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance provides air ambulance services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in response to emergency calls. Since the air ambulance became operational on 1st July 2007 it has undertaken over 2250 missions, many of which have saved lives, and is now flying seven days per week, being called to missions on average 4-5 times per day. HIOWAA receives no Government funding, and relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to help save lives across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight.  In fact as a charity we only receive help through secondment of paramedics from the NHS. To keep the air ambulance flying we need to raise over £3000 per day. This is only possible through the wonderful public support which equates to over £1.1 million per annum.