Over 3,000 unwanted bras have been donated to fundraise for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance during Bag A Bra Week held at Castlepoint, Bournemouth’s premier shopping park. The unwanted undergarments have been placed throughout the week into the special pink recycling bins by visitors so that Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (Castlepoint’s charity of the year) will benefit and the bras will be issued to women in developing countries.
Sarah Thornley, Business & Marketing Manager for Castlepoint, says that as the 540 meter washing line of bras strung across the walkways has created additional awareness to shoppers and with bags of bras still being donated every day, the pink recycling bins will continue to be available for a second week.
“We have been amazed at the response and the washing lines have certainly caught the imagination of our visitors,” said Sarah. “We have heard of at least one woman who spontaneously removed the bra she was wearing for the appeal!”
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance operates its vital, life saving role without subsidy from the government or the National Lottery, so the additional £1800 raised in the first week through donations, sales from raffle tickets and merchandise thanks to the generosity of shoppers has been gratefully received by the fundraising team.
The helicopter is leased from Bond Helicopters and costs in excess of £3,500 per day to run. It is crewed by a pilot and two paramedics and is capable of carrying two stretcher patients, plus a third sitting passenger. It flies comfortably at 150 mph and can be anywhere in the two counties within 19 minutes of receiving the emergency call, making it ideal when time is critical in life-threatening situations.
For additional information call 01823 669604 or visit www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.co.uk
