Saddleworth WI are collecting underwear to support a good cause.

Saddleworth WI are donating old bras to a good cause helping women in Africa and the UK.

The group have decided to help the charity Smalls for All. From now until August they are asking their members to donate their old bras and maybe buy a pack of panties (black) to donate to the charity.

Smalls for All is a Scottish charity which collects and distributes underwear to help women and children in Africa and the UK.

In Africa, they help those living in orphanages, slums, IDP (international displaced persons) camps and schools, as well as those in hospitals suffering from medical conditions like obstetric fistula.

They operate from the UK and support people and charitable organisations working on projects in Africa who are able to transport and distribute the pants and bras they collect. Their underwear has gone to many countries in Africa, including Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda Zambia and Zanzibar.

The discussions with the partners and distributors they regularly work with in Africa help to build greater understanding and awareness of the challenges some communities face. This encouraged them to establish a small education programme to support some of the poorest children in countries where Smalls for All have a presence, helping then to access education. They also help charities that focus on alleviating poverty in the UK by providing them with underwear.

Saddleworth WI have decided to coincide the collection of the Smalls for All donations with their guest speaker, Darcy Browne, on August 7 at the White Hart, in Lydgate at 7.30pm. Guests are welcome, but there will be a charge of £3. Darcy has spent this summer helping to educate the people of the small villages in Kenya and will be talking about the work that she has done with the villagers. The underwear collected will offer the women of these countries dignity and a level of safety around sexual assault.

For further information on Saddleworth WI visit www.saddleworthwi.com. For more information on Smalls for All visit www.smallsforall.org