During May, June and July, Bridgend Soroptimists and friends collected one hundred and ninety-one gently worn and new bras and over one hundred pairs of new knickers for the charity Smalls for All. This charity works across the UK collecting and distributing collected items to those women and girls in Africa and the UK.
The project was part of our #90for90 campaign to celebrate 90 years of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) and it was hoped that we would be able to send 90 bras to Smalls for All. It was agreed that we all have bras we no longer wear or have made a mistaken purchase and that it would be good to donate them to those who are less fortunate and can’t afford underwear. The bras in good condition are sent to women and girls in developing countries, whilst those in less good condition are recycled.
Bras and knickers were donated by members as well as from friends and groups known to the club. Girlguiding Central Glamorgan donated some bras, as did a local sewing group. Some members asked local charity shops to donate the bras they had been given, as these items sometimes take a long time to sell.
The bras were sorted, counted and packaged up and sent to Smalls for All in Scotland who distribute them in Africa and the UK. Smalls for All said, “Thank you so much for donating to Smalls for All. We’re extremely grateful for every penny, every pair of new pants and every new or gently worn bra we receive. Whatever your reason for donating, with so many charities and worthwhile causes needing support, we really appreciate you choosing Smalls.”
It was also particularly pleasing to receive an email from fellow Soroptimists in SI Dunfermline and SI Kirkaldy thanking us for the parcels. These ladies volunteer with Smalls for All and are always pleased to open parcels from Soroptimists.
The project was a real success. It was very well received by members as everyone could participate and contribute, provided us with an opportunity to chat to friends and family about Soroptimists and involved a number of different partners. Our plans are to run this as an annual event.
Update: In addition to making a worthwhile donation, we forwarded a photograph of the project to SIGBI and were delighted that it was used in the #90for90 presentation at the SIGBI Conference in Edinburgh at the beginning of November.