Total underwear collected is 1,483,996

Although West Lothian has moved to Scotland’s tier 4, Smalls remains open, albeit with a reduced team as all the volunteers working in the warehouse processing your donations are those living locally. 

We received 3,339 parcels in October – which have now all been opened – and we’re working on opening donations received in November. My thanks to the ladies for all their hard work and for the extra hours they’re working to keep on top of things. Like for many people, life is not ‘normal’ just now and we really miss all our volunteers who are unable to come to their ‘work’. We hope it won’t be too long before we’re all together again.

I often receive emails from people wanting to make sure we’ve received their donation. Once a month we send an acknowledgement email to those whose parcels we’ve opened in that month who have given us their email address. I’ve attached a link that gives a little more detail but the important thing to remember is that we can only acknowledge receipt if you enclose your email address. 

We’ve asked for your help before in spreading the word that the address to send donations to had changed. My thanks to everyone who passed this on. Of 3,339 parcels received in October, 442 were incorrectly addressed. Don’t worry, we do get them, but it would be wonderful if anyone mentions to you they’re sending a parcel if you could check they have the right address. As a reminder, the address for donations is Five Sisters Business Park, Westwood, West Calder, EH55 8PN.

We’ve given 3,679 pairs of new pants to 6 organisations since our last Talking Pants. Our thanks to:

• The Ratidzo Trust who received 1,664 pairs of new pants for their hygiene kits which will be going to Zimbabwe.
• TWR St Neots who received 339 pairs of new ladies’ pants.
• Rebecca Gibson of the University of Nottingham who received 95 pairs of new men’s and ladies’ pants for their rucksack project. Each year rucksacks are distributed containing clothing to the homeless community in Nottingham.
• Glasgow Night Shelter who received 306 pairs of new men’s pants.
• Louise Malcolm for collecting 675 pairs of new children’s pants for the Cumbernauld Kilsyth Care charity who support local families with baby essentials, children’s clothing and school uniforms.
• Mairi Findlay for collecting 600 pairs of new men’s pants for the Bethany Rapid Re-accommodation Centre in Edinburgh, a new centre supporting people who are homeless.

Last month, we mentioned one of our supporters had asked if we could produce a wee Christmas donation card for printing out and giving as part of people’s Christmas presents. We had a number of requests and some lovely feedback so thanks to all those people who contacted us. If you’d like to do this too, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. Your Christmas donations – big or small, of underwear or money – can help make a life-changing difference to people who can’t afford or don’t have access to underwear.

Thanks, and take care.

Maria