Businesswomen donate knickers in support to women in Africa (From York Press)

Women In Rural Enterprise donate knickers in support to women in Africa

11:00am Friday 14th August 2009 in Fundraising fun By Ron Godfrey

HERE’S how a group of York businesswomen is doing its bit to help literally support underprivileged women in Africa.

Members of the York branch of Women In Rural Enterprise (WiRE) have donated various items of underwear to the charity Knickers 4 Africa, which sends garments such as bras, pants and vests to African countries where new underwear is prohibitively expensive for most women.

Collection organiser and WiRE member Kathryn Rolfe, owner of Kathryn Rolfe Lingerie on Micklegate in York, said: “Here in the UK we take it for granted that we can buy new underwear for very little money these days, but in many African countries it’s a luxury that few people are able to afford.

“Apparently this is a real threat to personal safety, as unfortunately these women are much more likely to be attacked by men if they are not wearing a bra.

“Knickers 4 Africa helps by collecting donations of clean underwear and then distributing it to the places that need it most.

“When I heard about this charity I wanted to do something to help, and the ladies of WiRE have come up trumps for me!”

WiRE group leader, Lucy Amos, of French For Fidgets, said: “This is a plight that all women can sympathise with, so the WiRE group was really happy to be able to help Kathryn with this collection. Hopefully, it will inspire other women to donate to the project too.”

The York WiRE group meets on the first Tuesday evening of each month at various locations around the city, offering support, advice and networking opportunities to local women who run their own businesses.