Members of a recently-formed ladies’ group have made a large donation of items to help homeless women in the area.

Sutton Belles Women’s Institute put out a plea to members to donate toiletries and female sanitary items, as w
ell as pre-loved underwear, to assist those using facilities at The Beacon Project, Mansfield.
More than 50 bras and 70 pairs of pants, as well as four large bags of feminine hygiene products and toiletries, were collected.

Sutton Belles president Naiomi Mathis and vice-president Sarah Osborne presented the donations and learnt more about the work of the project.

Project manager Louise Hillman said: “We are a voluntary organisation and are entirely reliant on donations and grants like this to continue our work.

“The day centre here serves and cares for up to 50 people on a regular basis with some travelling many miles to attend and get a hot meal, clean clothes and access to toilet and shower facilities.”

Naiomi said: “We are a new group and to have received such a volume of donations was overwhelming, especially when money is tight for so many.

“The centre here is doing incredible work to assist vulnerable people in the area and hopefully we can continue to support them in the future.”

Pictured are Sarah Osborne, left, and Louisa Hillman with some of the donations.

Sutton Belles WI, formed in February, meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Hillocks Primary School, Sutton. New members are always welcome.