Swindon and Wiltshire women join forces to collect bras for African charity

Swindon Phoenix Rotary is among the Wiltshire organisations supporting African charity ZABRA – AfreeBra.

Also backing the charity are two of the county's branches of international women's organisation the Soroptimists.

The organisers of the unusual clothing collection say many of us wouldn’t think that a simple piece of clothing could change lives so dramatically, but that in some parts of Africa a woman or young girl not wearing a bra is seen as an easy target for abuse, rape or even sex trafficking. 

A spokesperson for the appeal said: "If African women are wearing underwear, the men consider them to be wealthy and leave them alone. However, many women and young girls don’t have the money to buy a bra and so crippling poverty seals their fate because they then fall prey to devastating, life-changing crimes.

"Three years ago, the Salisbury branch of the Soroptimists began collecting pre-loved bras in good condition for ZABRA and collect several thousand. 

"Inspired by them in 2024, the Swindon Soroptimists began collecting and they have collected over 1,000 bras.

"While Anne Norman was President of Phoenix Rotary Swindon, she heard about this good cause and joined forces. A sterling effort has resulted in the collection of over 2,350 pre-loved bras from many sites and organisations in Wroughton. 

"This collection by Phoenix Rotary was handed over to the Swindon Soroptimists last week at Tikka Tikka in Old Town. One of the Soroptimists, Alison Millin then personally delivered the consignment to ZABRA’s UK distribution centre in Twickenham."

The spokesperson added: " In due course, they will be sent on to a variety of projects across Africa. ZABRA’s collection of bras and panties in good condition is helping to restore dignity and give confidence to women from numerous impoverished communities. 

"This recycled clothing literally changeslives by protecting the women that wear them. It also helps develop their self-esteem. 

"This latest collaboration by the Women of Wiltshire will make a HUGE difference to the lives of thousands of women in Africa as it helps protect them from being abused or worse. 

"It’s a team effort and a small way to try and restore a degree of dignity and well-being to these forgotten women. Whilst it cannot even begin to repair the psychological damage, it can at least let them know that someone else in the world really cares about them."