WOMEN and girls have been collecting bras for a charity supporting vulnerable and orphaned children in South Africa.

The women from a Brandlesholme I Will If You Will (IWIYW) zumba class started the bra collection at All Saints Church in Brandlesholme, thanks to churchgoer Sue Stonestreet, whose close friend Lisa Ashton MBE founded the charity.

The zumba class meets at the church every Wednesday evening and, after hearing about the collection, IWIYW instructor Julie Porter soon rallied the troops.

The collected bras will now be taken to the charity’s base in Finetown, south of Johannesburg, to help local women in their quest for employment.

Julie said: “What we’re giving to these ladies is a confidence boost. These women are trying to make their lives better by searching for jobs, but as soon as they’re seen to be without a bra, they’re immediately typecast as being from the poorer areas.

“As soon as I knew about the collection happening at the church, I’ve been asking everyone I know to donate any bras that are no longer being worn and I’ve been overwhelmed at how many have been donated.

“The girls in my Zumba class at the church have done me proud and I hope the collection will make a real difference when Lisa takes them to South Africa later this month.”