Thanks to Sherie for sharing this news with OnTheWight readers. Ed
Fergus Walkinshaw, and the FW Motorsport team visited Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance at their Airbase at Thruxton on Friday 3rd May to launch this year’s Bag A Bra appeal, ahead of the weekend’s British Touring Car Championship event.
The racing driver was attending the circuit at Thruxton for the third round battles of the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup, but took time out to help push the campaign to hopefully raise more funds towards the running costs of the Air Ambulance.
The HIOWAA charity stand was situated on the outside of the circuit throughout the weekend as well as clothing recycling bins which were located around the paddock, so people were able to drop off their unwanted items.
Fergus Walkinshaw, 22, said
“As the Motorsport Advocate for the Association of Air Ambulances, I’m happy to be able to help Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance launch its Bag A Bra fundraising campaign during the BTCC weekend at Thruxton.”
Bag It Up
The clothing collected from Thruxton and Bag A Bra Day will be recycled and processed by Bag It Up, then sent to other countries for resale. The recycling of bras is slightly different from other textiles, as most donated bras are shipped to West Africa for resale at affordable prices by street traders, where being able to wear a bra gives women status and helps to improve their self-esteem.
John Perry, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said,
“We really appreciate the ’support’ we have received from Fergus Walkinshaw to promote this campaign. Having Walkinshaw involved in the promotion of Bag A Bra day, which is on Thursday 23rd May this year, has been ‘uplifting’ and has really helped to boost awareness of the campaign and encourage female fans and women involved in the race weekend to donate their unwanted bras.
“We are trying to get as many groups of people involved as possible this year and to collect a record number of bras! This is a really worthwhile cause because your donations are not only helping the Air Ambulance, but also helping women in West Africa.
“We really appreciate all the donations we receive which help to keep your Air Ambulance flying and saving lives.”
If you would like a ‘Bag A Bra’ collecting bag, want to know where your nearest ‘Bag It Up’ recycling bank is situated, or just require further information about this appeal, then please visit www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk
