ILMINSTER NEWS: Bras raise cash for cancer charity

A HAIR salon in Ilminster really has literally been providing something of an “uplifting” experience.

During her term of office as president of the Rotary Club of Ilminster, Linda Piggott-Vijeh discovered that the charity Against Breast Cancer collected unwanted bars to support cancer research and at the same time help small businesses in Africa, and asked the salon if they would be willing to be a collection point.

Linda said: “Having had breast cancer myself I know that many women find that the bras they once treasured no longer fit after surgery.

“It seemed sensible for the Hebron Hairdressers salon, visited frequently by many local ladies, to provide a focal point in the town for collecting the bras, and I knew that Claire and her team are always willing to join in.”

Owner Claire Hebron added: “Little did we realise what we had taken on. So many bras were donated that they were taking over the salon. In a short period of time we received almost 300, many of them new and unused. I am thrilled that we were able to help to make a difference.”

Against Breast Cancer uses the bras to help raise vital funds towards dedicated research to improve detection and increase survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

The bras also support small businesses in Africa. Recycling through a textile recovery project prevents the bras going into landfill and gives them a new lease of life in developing countries where bras remain too expensive to produce locally.

For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund research. With over 30 million women in the UK you could really help make a difference!

Successful ventures like this keep many families in developing countries out of poverty whilst providing employment for people at home in the UK.

PHOTO: Linda Piggott-Vijeh (front) at Hebron Hairdresseres with (standing from left) Harriet, Sam, Zena and Claire Hebron.

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