TREMENDOUS support from the community has seen an appeal for old bras smash last year’s total.

The Salisbury Soroptimists once again collected garments which could be redistributed to African countries to help those in need.

And the 2024 total of more than 6,000 bras smashed last year’s amount – 3,736.

Project leader, Penny Joyce, said: “Thank you to everyone who contributed to this amazing total.

“I had bags delivered to my door nearly every day and even some posted to me.”

The main collection point, at Five Rivers Leisure Centre, was emptied almost daily, she said, by volunteers while others collected donations in their homes.

At the final count, all donations were sorted and counted into piles of 10 and packed into sacks totalling 100 for onward transport.

The bras were sorted before being transported to Twickenham

“We decided to use a courier this year instead of packing into several cars,” Penny said.

“We were glad we had when we saw the number of sacks.”

Barry from BMC Clearance Services then delivered the haul to charity Zabra’s lock-up in Twickenham.

“This has got to be one of my more unusual transport jobs,” he said. “I might get a bit of teasing for this one.”

READ MORE: Record-breaking bra collection for Salisbury Soroptimists

The bras will soon be sent to various African countries, where many women lack the resources to buy clothing.

Women tend to be low down on the priorities for family finance, and a bra can give women dignity and confidence, apart from comfort.

“The generosity of Salisbury and surrounds continues to amaze us’ said soroptimists president, Michele Smith.

“This year’s collection alone has saved nearly 400kg of bras going to landfill or fabric recycling and instead given a new lease of life.

“Thank you to everyone who donated.”