Showing posts with label knickers for africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knickers for africa. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday News
Bras for Africa
The Sunday News picked up on our bra story which was also on Stuff.co.nz and the Waikato Times last week as part of the Knickers for Africa programme.
I think a lot of people will be doing google searches for me and Knickers for Africa this week, as unfortunately the article didnt specify any contact details. So I dont know how they were meant to know where to send the bras!!
Anyone can contact me via my website here: http://www.breastmates.co.nz
Thank you
Frances McInnes
The Sunday News picked up on our bra story which was also on Stuff.co.nz and the Waikato Times last week as part of the Knickers for Africa programme.
I think a lot of people will be doing google searches for me and Knickers for Africa this week, as unfortunately the article didnt specify any contact details. So I dont know how they were meant to know where to send the bras!!
Anyone can contact me via my website here: http://www.breastmates.co.nz
Thank you
Frances McInnes
Friday, May 1, 2009
Waikato Times
A reporter came yesterday from the Waikato Times who had picked up on the Bras for Africa story. He had never seen so many bras in his life! We made a bra mountain and took a photo.
The story was in the newspaper today, and has also been on the front page of Stuff.co.nz. Also today I've had 4 phone calls from Radio Hosts who have interviewed me over the phone about it all!
A friend of mine just told me on Facebook that she had heard me talking on ZM. She said
"Hiya, you def did NOT sound like a dork!! Sounded professional and compassionate! and like someone who was on the radio a lot, was brilliant" Phew that is so reassuring. I always think I sound so squeaky when recorded. And I didn't know they had been recording until after!
Must be not much happening in the world today for this to make news! But thanks, and thanks everyone for the bras.
The story was in the newspaper today, and has also been on the front page of Stuff.co.nz. Also today I've had 4 phone calls from Radio Hosts who have interviewed me over the phone about it all!
A friend of mine just told me on Facebook that she had heard me talking on ZM. She said
"Hiya, you def did NOT sound like a dork!! Sounded professional and compassionate! and like someone who was on the radio a lot, was brilliant" Phew that is so reassuring. I always think I sound so squeaky when recorded. And I didn't know they had been recording until after!
Must be not much happening in the world today for this to make news! But thanks, and thanks everyone for the bras.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Bras for Africa - UK
The Bras for Africa campaign has spread around the world!!! There are now lingerie stores that are collecting preloved bras also to support this. Remember that the bras should be washed and in good condition.
Read more about the collection here
The list below are the stores in England that are accepting donations:
Amanda Jane Lingerie 69 Harpur St, MK40 2SR, BEDFORD 01234 327799
Bizou 5 Danby Wynd, YARM 0164 278 9009
Bordello 55 Gt Eastern St, LONDON 0798 414 9089
Brassiere 4 Leeds Road, HIPPERHOLME 01422 201 753
Bravado Underwear 18 Baker St, Stirling, STIRLINGSHIRE 01786 469 777
Eden Lingerie 7 Cocoa Yard, NANTWICH 01270 610071
Esu Lingerie Ltd 18 Middleton Rd, Royton, OLDHAM 0161 627 5757
Femme Fatale The Square, Lenham, MAIDSTONE 01622 851 444
Fishnets Lingerie 24 Skinner St, YO21 3AJ, WHITBY 01947 604 702
Le Reve Lingerie 6 Bene't St, CAMBRIDGE 01223 328 111
OH Knickers 6 river Street, TRURO 01872 242 461
Sigi 9 White Swan Court, Priory St, NP25 3NY, MONMOUTH 01600 711988
Swells Maternity Wear 204 Dury Walk, Broadmarsh Centre, NOTTINGHAM 0115 9470408
Vanilla Bloom 39-43 William St, EDINBURGH 0131 220 2502
Read more about the collection here
The list below are the stores in England that are accepting donations:
Amanda Jane Lingerie 69 Harpur St, MK40 2SR, BEDFORD 01234 327799
Bizou 5 Danby Wynd, YARM 0164 278 9009
Bordello 55 Gt Eastern St, LONDON 0798 414 9089
Brassiere 4 Leeds Road, HIPPERHOLME 01422 201 753
Bravado Underwear 18 Baker St, Stirling, STIRLINGSHIRE 01786 469 777
Eden Lingerie 7 Cocoa Yard, NANTWICH 01270 610071
Esu Lingerie Ltd 18 Middleton Rd, Royton, OLDHAM 0161 627 5757
Femme Fatale The Square, Lenham, MAIDSTONE 01622 851 444
Fishnets Lingerie 24 Skinner St, YO21 3AJ, WHITBY 01947 604 702
Le Reve Lingerie 6 Bene't St, CAMBRIDGE 01223 328 111
OH Knickers 6 river Street, TRURO 01872 242 461
Sigi 9 White Swan Court, Priory St, NP25 3NY, MONMOUTH 01600 711988
Swells Maternity Wear 204 Dury Walk, Broadmarsh Centre, NOTTINGHAM 0115 9470408
Vanilla Bloom 39-43 William St, EDINBURGH 0131 220 2502
Friday, April 17, 2009
Bras for Africa
A journalism student contacted me to ask some questions about the Bras for Africa collection we are involved with. Check out the Press page on my website if you want to learn more. http://www.breastmates.co.nz/press.html and also this page www.breastmates.co.nz/africa.html
1) In a sentence or two, what is the 'Bras for Africa' campaign all about? The campaign is about collecting preloved bras that are then distributed to women in Zimbabawe. Most women have a bra or two that they are no longer wearing, but yet still in good condition, so we have been collecting them up to give to women that have very little.
2) When did this idea come to you? and how? (Dates (months) to be specific) I was notified about this collection initiative from the company that supplies the maternity bras that I sell on my website www.breastmates.co.nz. This company is HOTmilk and they told me about the idea to start a collection to support Zimbabawean women. I was told about this campaign, and asked to participate on 21/1/2009.
I believe HOTmilk had heard about the campaign through the Knickers for Africa charity. There is also a women named Morag Roy, a Zimababwean now living in Australia who travelled back to her home country and saw the need.
I thought I would use some of the contacts through my business to promote the word. I sent out a newsletter to my database of customers. Most women, mothers in particular, have bras that they nolonger fit especially after having children so it seemed the perfect way to collect a lot of bras.
3) Why is it a passion for you to do this campaign? Well I do love lingerie!!
4) Why did you think to give Bras to Africa and not things such as money, education, school stationary? Well I know that women and children in Africa and Zimbabwe need anything and everything, they have nothing. Sure there probably are more important things they could do with first. But bras align with my business so it was something that fit quite well. I didn’t realize the response that I would have had, now over 4,000 bras in the past month.
5) How are you hoping to help people in Africa particularly Zimbabwe with the Bras for Africa Campaign? I have been told by the organizers, that if a women in Zimbabwe owns a bra it can help give them prestige and confidence, and this can help prevent abuse. If just one of these bras helps a women in this way, then I believe that it will have been worth all my time. Plus I hope that the women who receive this items, knows that other people in the world care about them.
6) What are your thoughts on people who believe this campaign is not going to help Africa? Well I would like to ask these people what THEY are doing that could help Africa, and maybe I can be involved in that.
7) Are you hoping to set up another campaign other than Bras in the forseeable future? If so, what? Initially I was just going to do the bras, but I have felt very rewarded doing this bra collection, so yes I would hope to do more in the future.
I would like to acknowledge the support that I have received from so many people with regards to this collection. Many people have started “mini-collections” at their places of work and have dropped big boxes off to me. I have had donations from women, girls, grandmothers, women who have gained weight, women who have lost weight, women who have had mastectomies, and even some transsexuals and cross-dressers!
I would also like to acknowledge Express Logistics Ltd who have already taken the first truckload of now 4,000+ bras from me, and who along with HOTmilk will be transporting the container.
For more information, please refer people to my website www.breastmates.co.nz
(copyright interview)
1) In a sentence or two, what is the 'Bras for Africa' campaign all about? The campaign is about collecting preloved bras that are then distributed to women in Zimbabawe. Most women have a bra or two that they are no longer wearing, but yet still in good condition, so we have been collecting them up to give to women that have very little.
2) When did this idea come to you? and how? (Dates (months) to be specific) I was notified about this collection initiative from the company that supplies the maternity bras that I sell on my website www.breastmates.co.nz. This company is HOTmilk and they told me about the idea to start a collection to support Zimbabawean women. I was told about this campaign, and asked to participate on 21/1/2009.
I believe HOTmilk had heard about the campaign through the Knickers for Africa charity. There is also a women named Morag Roy, a Zimababwean now living in Australia who travelled back to her home country and saw the need.
I thought I would use some of the contacts through my business to promote the word. I sent out a newsletter to my database of customers. Most women, mothers in particular, have bras that they nolonger fit especially after having children so it seemed the perfect way to collect a lot of bras.
3) Why is it a passion for you to do this campaign? Well I do love lingerie!!
4) Why did you think to give Bras to Africa and not things such as money, education, school stationary? Well I know that women and children in Africa and Zimbabwe need anything and everything, they have nothing. Sure there probably are more important things they could do with first. But bras align with my business so it was something that fit quite well. I didn’t realize the response that I would have had, now over 4,000 bras in the past month.
5) How are you hoping to help people in Africa particularly Zimbabwe with the Bras for Africa Campaign? I have been told by the organizers, that if a women in Zimbabwe owns a bra it can help give them prestige and confidence, and this can help prevent abuse. If just one of these bras helps a women in this way, then I believe that it will have been worth all my time. Plus I hope that the women who receive this items, knows that other people in the world care about them.
6) What are your thoughts on people who believe this campaign is not going to help Africa? Well I would like to ask these people what THEY are doing that could help Africa, and maybe I can be involved in that.
7) Are you hoping to set up another campaign other than Bras in the forseeable future? If so, what? Initially I was just going to do the bras, but I have felt very rewarded doing this bra collection, so yes I would hope to do more in the future.
I would like to acknowledge the support that I have received from so many people with regards to this collection. Many people have started “mini-collections” at their places of work and have dropped big boxes off to me. I have had donations from women, girls, grandmothers, women who have gained weight, women who have lost weight, women who have had mastectomies, and even some transsexuals and cross-dressers!
I would also like to acknowledge Express Logistics Ltd who have already taken the first truckload of now 4,000+ bras from me, and who along with HOTmilk will be transporting the container.
For more information, please refer people to my website www.breastmates.co.nz
(copyright interview)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Bras for Africa - Truck 1
I have been collecting preloved bras to send to Africa. Well I have received so many!! Hundreds turned into thousands over the space of about four weeks. 
Another thank you to the Auckland suburban newspapers, T&E, BIGfm, Oh Baby, Littlies, and TV3 Sunrise who have all helped to publicise this campaign for me.
This is my first stint at charity work, and I have really enjoyed it. Sure it takes some time, but it is something that I can do, that WILL make a difference.
Thank you!
Maybe in my next life I should get a job in PR?!!
My garage was getting so full, that we arranged for our first lot of the collection to be taken into storage. I'm still collecting the bras, they keep coming in, I just needed some more space.
I want to say huge thank you to everyone that has donated bras already, and that have dropped them off recently. Lots of people even organised to collect bras from their friends and colleagues too, so I have been getting really big bags coming in.
I have received anonymous parcels in a box that I set up on my driveway, parcels in the mail (thank you postie!), and parcels from people who have knocked on the door and chatted to me. And I have lots of phone calls from people who wanted to know more.
The people who have been donating items were initially my database of mothers from my business Breastmates.co.nz, but thanks to the newspapers the story spread and more people were informed. I've had young women, students, mothers, professionals, grannies, people who have lost weight, people who have gained weight, ladies that have had mastectomies, and even some transsexuals donating their preloved bras.
A big thank you to Kim Herewini the Account Manager at Express Logistics Group Limited (http://www.xprs.co.nz/) who organised to get this first truck load of bras collected from my place this morning at no charge.
Another thank you to the Auckland suburban newspapers, T&E, BIGfm, Oh Baby, Littlies, and TV3 Sunrise who have all helped to publicise this campaign for me.
I've tried to take some photos of the first truckload, but its really hard to show the quantity in a picture.
This is my first stint at charity work, and I have really enjoyed it. Sure it takes some time, but it is something that I can do, that WILL make a difference.
Thank you!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Bras for Africa
Here is a wonderful email of support that I received about our Bras for Africa collection.
Frances,
Hello dear.May God bless your soul.My name is woman in Britain and am into helping out suffering Zimbabweans too.I am really thankful that you came up with this great idea. Hear it from me. I am a Zimbabwean woman and I know that many many women not only in villages but also in urban areas have nothing and will appreciate your help even if it's second hand. I understand some disgruntled people might see your efforts as ridiculous but be assured Frances, those in need in Zimbabwe appreciate it greatly. I work with the needy in Zimbabwe and I understand their concerns. Let no word discourage you from helping out my fellow sisters and mothers .
Isn't that nice. It was just the type of message I needed to receive today. Its such an easy way for me to help other people. If all I have to do is round up some bras, and ask people, then ship them over. Its great to help.
http://www.breastmates.co.nz/africa.html
Frances,
Hello dear.May God bless your soul.My name is
Isn't that nice. It was just the type of message I needed to receive today. Its such an easy way for me to help other people. If all I have to do is round up some bras, and ask people, then ship them over. Its great to help.
http://www.breastmates.co.nz/africa.html
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Knickers for Africa
So you know last week I told you about the Knickers for Africa campaign that we are involved with?
Since the press release was sent out by me, I've had:
- radio interview
- cover on t&e newspaper
- story in Western Leader newspaper
- story in Central Leader paper
Okay so that is great press to get behind the campaign. I've had TONNES of phone calls from ladies wanting to donate stuff.
Today I had 4 parcels in the letter box, a big bag left on the porch, and 2 bags hanging on the picket fence.
I've already got 2 big rubbish bags full of secondhand bras. I think I am going to get more than 1000 when this has finished.
I think everyone really likes to do something with their old bras. Most women have bras they dont wear any more, lurking at the back of their draw. This way they get a REALLY good use.
http://www.breastmates.co.nz/africa.html
Since the press release was sent out by me, I've had:
- radio interview
- cover on t&e newspaper
- story in Western Leader newspaper
- story in Central Leader paper
Okay so that is great press to get behind the campaign. I've had TONNES of phone calls from ladies wanting to donate stuff.
Today I had 4 parcels in the letter box, a big bag left on the porch, and 2 bags hanging on the picket fence.
I've already got 2 big rubbish bags full of secondhand bras. I think I am going to get more than 1000 when this has finished.
I think everyone really likes to do something with their old bras. Most women have bras they dont wear any more, lurking at the back of their draw. This way they get a REALLY good use.
http://www.breastmates.co.nz/africa.html
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