WORCESTERSHIRE county cricketers swapped their bats and balls for bras in a bid to help raise money for a dedicated breast care unit in Worcester.

Cricketers Jack Shantry and Chris Russell took part in the stunt to help raise cash for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.

The 2nd Skin Lingerie Bra Chain Gang counted 2,000 donated bras at their first official count inside the Graeme Hick Pavilion at Worcestershire County Cricket Club in New Road, Worcester.

If enough bras are collected, the cricketers will have helped to beat the world record for the number of bras in a single chain, currently held by Australia – helping England to another victory over the Aussies following this summer’s Ashes win.

Some stallholders donated their takings from the event on Tuesday, November 24, to the campaign. There were stands from Clutter Control, Fair Exchange Dress Agency, Forever Living, Just So Jewellery, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Motto’s Mobile Massage, Nails by Jo, Rock Folly Jewels and Accessories, The Humming Alpaca and Vie at Home.

Karen Tomalin, of 2nd Skin Lingerie, said: “The evening was a great success, with thousands of bras being donated.

“But if we are going to break the world record and raise funds for the Worcestershire Breast Unit, we need even more. So please keep those bras coming.”

The garments are hooked together in sets of 20 to form a long chain. Each bra then has to be tagged with a number and re-counted.

Eventually, the chains will be linked together in a bid to beat the current world record of 166,000, which has been held by the town of Bundaberg in South-East Queensland since August.

Further counts and events are being planned for next year. After the final count, all bras will be distributed to local women’s refuges, homeless shelters and developing countries.

To get involved or to find the nearest drop-off point for your bras, log onto 2ndskinlingerie or contact Karen Tomalin, patron of the campaign, on 07818 641205.

Your Worcester News has adopted the campaign to raise £2.5 million for a dedicated breast unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester. The current facilities are too spread out within the hospital, while clinics can be cramped and lack privacy.

The new unit at 220 Newtown Road could also cut waiting times in half and make the experience of breast care a far more pleasant one for patients, campaign leaders say.