Girlguiding in the Isle of Man has launched an appeal for unwanted bras for charity.

The group is working with the charity ’Against Breast Cancer’ to collect used, surplus or even new bras to give them a new lease of life and raise funds for research into secondary breast cancer.

Women are being asked to deposit their unwanted bras into one of the bright pink bra banks across the island.

These are located at:

l Corinthians Football Club, Ballafletcher.

l Keystone Law, Old Courthouse, Athol Street, Douglas.

l The Bowl at Isle of Man Football Association headquarters and FC Isle of Man home games.

l Douglas Library, Victoria Street.

Against Breast Cancer (ABC) funds pioneering research into new treatments, tools for earlier diagnosis and advice to reduce the risk of recurrence and secondary spread, they ultimately want to discover a vaccine against breast cancer.

The ABC recycling scheme will see the collected bras sent to Africa, where they will be sold at affordable prices by small businesses, benefitting the local economy.

The ABC website states: ’The bras help to support small businesses in developing countries in Africa and around the world.

’Together with our recycling partners, our textile recovery project prevents these bras going into landfill before giving them a new lease of life in countries such as Togo, Ghana and Kenya, where bras remain expensive to produce locally.

’Successful ventures like this provide an income for families in developing countries whilst providing employment for people living in the UK.

’Any bras that are genuinely beyond redemption are dismantled and disposed of properly.

’For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund our research.’

Girlguiding Isle of Man county commissioner Karen Walker said: ’We’re asking all of the ladies in the island to have a sort out and donate bras they no longer wear and help us fill the bra banks, which will be in place until the end of December.

She continued: ’Many of our members have been affected by breast cancer, and as a charity for girls and young women, this is something that is close to our hearts.

’This scheme has so many benefits - as well as raising funds and supporting small businesses in Africa, it keeps waste bras out of landfill.’

Girlguiding Isle of Man runs various groups for every age across the island.

There are Rainbows (5-7 years), Brownies (7-10 years), Guides (10-14 years) and Rangers (14-18 years).

There is also a Girlguiding Inspire team for ages 18-30, for volunteers to continue to be involved with the organisation.

To find your local group, or get more information, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk or www.girlguidingiom.im or email [email protected]