HEALTH centre staff are urging women to donate their unwanted underwear as part of a bra-illiant fundraising appeal for a hospital breast unit.

Second hand bras – of all types, colours and sizes – can be deposited at the 'bra bank' at the Malvern Health Centre, in Pickersleigh Road.

All the bras will then be sent off to the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven, at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

But thousands of lacy garments are needed to make a difference, with one kilogram's worth of bras equating to £1 in funding.

And it will take one tonne of bras – approximately 13,000 items – to raise £1,000 for the unit.

Jane Wells-Spittle, nurse practitioner at the health centre, said: "I saw it on Facebook and I thought: 'This is something I could get involved with and support'.

"Being a nurse and working with women's health I thought it was an ideal opportunity to do something.

"We have all got bras in our drawers. All I really want is the ladies of Malvern to bring in their unwanted bras – all sizes, all shapes!"

The breast unit is a charity which provides clinical services, assistance with breast care needs and complementary therapies over and above what the NHS can offer.

The appeal has generated considerable interest already and businesses, clubs, retailers and offices around the county are putting bra banks in their premises for staff, colleagues, customers and visitors to make donations.

Alexandra Craigie, fundraising manager, said: "We are asking for donations of all type and sizes of bra, it really doesn’t matter how old, the style or colour; what is important is that each bra donated has a fundraising value for the work we do here at the unit.

"If you think that your female staff and customers would be interested in donating, please let us know and we can deliver bins to you."

Women can also bag up your bras and bring them into the Worcestershire Breast Unit on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site.

To get involved in this or other fundraising for Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven, contact Lexi Craigie on 01905 733786.