I know I have a heap of bras floating about my room, all in mint condition and until recently I didn't know what to do with them. 

A UK based charity are looking for your new or gently worn bras in all shapes, colours and sizes including sports bras and nursing bras. 

For many of us, underwear is an item of luxury and something we don't even think about, however, for women and children living in poorer countries such as African it can be life-changing. 

Smalls For All, collect and distribute underwear including pants to help women and children in Africa. To date, they have collected 1,018,241 items of underwear and distributed 940,938 to orphanages, slums and hospitals for women suffering from medical conditions like obstetric fistula. 

Underwear has gone to many countries including Gambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Madagascar.

The charity also accepts new pants in all sizes, however, at present, they mostly require pants for both boys and girls aged 3-15 or ladies in sizes 8, 10 and 12. Black ladies pants in full brief, midi, mini or high leg are in greatest demand.

Founder of Smalls For All, Maria Macnamara launched the charity back in August 2010 after she volunteered in Ethiopia and discovered the problems both women and children faced through having no underwear. 

She found a majority of women couldn't afford underwear while some only had one pair of pants which in turn can be a huge health and safety issue for many poor African communities. During her visit, she also discovered many teenager girls missed out on school as they were forced to stay home every month during their period. 

Talking about the charity, Maria says: "We accept donations of new pants and new and gently worn bras. These are distributed to women and children in greatest need."

"Our supporter base has grown substantially over the past few years – we now have over 100,000 followers – and together we’re helping more and more people through our underwear donations."

So keep that in mind next time you are doing a closet clearout, there are hundreds of thousands of women across the world who would love your bras that no longer fit.

To donate your gently worn bras that still have good wear in them (or new pants) simply post them to Smalls For All, 108 Buchanan Cresent, Eliburn, Livingston, EH54 7EF.