Member Article

Bras donated for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

More than 400 bras have been collected by a kind-hearted team at a Lakeside Village outlet store to be donated to a charity appeal by Against Breast Cancer during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)

Lakeside Village’s Wonderbra/Playtex/Shock Absorber outlet store has been urging customers to donate their old and unwanted bras since the spring, and has collected 441 bras, that is an amazing 80lbs worth.

And, according to store manager Tracey Murphy, the appeal is having a positive impact on its customers’ awareness of breast cancer.

Tracey, said: “Our bra amnesty appeal has been a real success to date. Our customers have shown such generosity, bringing in bags full of their unwanted bras to donate to the Against Breast Cancer project.

“As a team, we are very committed to raising awareness of the symptoms of breast cancer. We display guides on how to check your breasts in all of our changing rooms and, thanks to this appeal, we’re getting more opportunities to discuss the topic with our customers one-to-one.

“We’ve even had a couple of customers who’ve said they’re going for a check-up with their GP because we’ve talked to them and they’ve opened up about their health concerns.”

For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund its vital research. The bras are also used to help support small businesses in Africa, as the charity’s textile recovery project prevents the bras going into landfill and gives them a new lease of life where bras remain too expensive to produce locally.

Cheryl Sadler, centre manager at Lakeside Village, said: “Donating old bras towards a good cause is a fantastic idea and one that’s having a real impact in the store. We are really grateful to all of the customers who have donated so far and we are going to keep on collecting and we welcome all donations.”

Katie Storer, Senior Communications and Engagement Officer for South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw’s Breast Screening Programme, said: “What Lakeside Village have achieved is fantastic and for such a worthy cause. It also acts as a very timely reminder to raise the importance of attending breast screening appointments. Early detection offers a better chance of successful treatment and full recovery. Ladies, please join the fight and take up your invite. Breast screening is currently available every three years to women aged 50 to 70 years with some women being called up from the age of 47.”

Unwanted bras should be donated at the Lakeside Village Wonderbra/Playtex/Shock Absorber store.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Charlotte Dimond .