Bra-vo for fundraiser (From Times Series)

Bra-vo for fundraiser

1:31pm Thursday 16th October 2008

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A maverick mother displayed her drawers this weekend in a bid to collect thousands of sets of underwear for asylum seekers.

Caroline Glasner, 43, of North Crescent, Finchley, began the Desperately Seeking Undies movement earlier this year after meet-ing asylum seekers at a drop-in centre, run by New North London Synagogue volunteers.

She said she was shocked that people were living with little help or understanding after fleeing oppression and persecution.

“I came across the drop-in centre and what I saw was very moving,” she said.

“I was shocked by the level of destitution. They were having to queue for food parcels. They were desperate. I felt I had to do something.”

Ms Glasner began her campaign after some women suggested a collection of new underwear would be welcomed.

On Sunday, Ms Glasner was joined by about 100 people who paraded around Finchley wearing knickers to raise the profile of the asylum seekers’ plight.

Ms Glasner said: “It was a fantastic event and we were blessed with the most amazing weather which helped the incredible atmosphere.

“My dream is to make this into something much bigger and that a charity might come out of this. I hope it can go wherever I can take it.”

She has raised more than £5,000 so far and collected at least 4,000 items of underwear which will be sorted and distributed to women.

Several celebrities have donated signed underwear which Ms Glasner hopes to auction in the new year.

Diane Taylor, co-organiser of the monthly drop-in service at Old Barn Community Centre, in Fallows Close, East Finchley, said: “The main reason for choosing underwear was to use it as a metaphor for destitution, because they can’t even afford those items. We are very grateful for Caroline’s work. She has done an amazing job.”

To donate, email caroline glasner@tiscali.co.uk or see mycharitypage.com/ desperatelyseekingundies For details on the drop-in centre, contact Diane Taylor on 07966 145098.

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