Lingerie women to brave cold in Elland this weekend to raise £2k

Rebecca Illingworth-Sedgewick, 29, who owns Anon Lingerie, in Elland, is teaming up with garment-wearing volunteers, who are set to parade up and down Victoria Road on Friday and Saturday to raise funds for three charities.

Ms Illingworth-Sedgewick said her lingerie store, which will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary tomorrow, has an ethos of helping women feel good about themselves.

She said: "On Saturday, our crazy ladies will be getting down to their underwear to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support, Animals Asia UK, and Sew Unique UK.

"We want to raise £2,000 and divide it between the three charities.

"We've also launched an initiative to collect as many used bras as possible, where we'll send them to women in need within Uganda - which is part of a sustainable sanitary project."

Ms Illingworth spoke about her personal motivation behind the campaign.

"I suffer from anxiety, and I believe everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin.

"It's important to help other people and make women feel good about themselves," she said.

The lingerie shop owner said she organises a similar campaign for charities every year, but this year has been difficult with Covid restrictions.

"I've spoken to the council and they said we can do it again, but we have to keep the numbers below six."

Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer.

Animals Asia Foundation is a Hong Kong-based charity that seeks to end cruelty to animals in Asia.

The lingerie ladies will be out in force this weekend from 10am until 4pm.