April 2009
Photo: Anna Colquhoun
Caption: Frances McInnes, with her sons Lachlan, 11 months, and
Angus, 4, is amazed at the response to the campaign.
Support Where It's Needed
South Auckland has come to the party in an innovative new
campaign called Bras for Africa. The campaign is collecting
second-hand bras for women in African villages and despite the
economic recession the response has been overwhelming.
The manager of online store Breastmates, Frances McInnes runs
one of the many drop-off points around New Zealand
and has been inundated with more than 3000 bras. "People's
reaction to it has been amazing. I have even received emails
from England wanting to know how they can contribute their bras to
the campaign."
Mrs McInnes, who runs her company from home while looking after
her two children, says local businesses are also
lending their support to the cause. "A drycleaner has offered to
clean all the bras for us and maternity wear supplier HOTmilk
has taken responsibility for shipping the bras to Africa."
Other charities are not experiencing the same generosity.
Manukau Salvation Army store manager Fran Keys says donations to
her store have dropped significantly. "The community has definitely
cut back on the amount they donate to us. But the bras campaign is
a good idea. African people also need a lot of help." The Salvation
Army gets donations of second-hand underwear but says some
customers are not keen on such items. "Many people turn their noses
up at secondhand
underwear, but if they are desperate they will wear it."
Mangere resident Freya Toloa says she's never considered
donating her underwear to charity but she'll rethink what parts of
her wardrobe she recycles. "I normally throw my used underwear in
the rubbish and the notion of giving it away is an awkward concept
to consider."
Donations to the Bras for
Africa campaign can be made up until May 2009.
Our collection has now closed