STAFF at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit (AMU) said pants to poverty when they had a collection for Smalls for All, a charity that collects and distributes underwear to women and children in Africa.

The collection was in support of International Day of the Midwife, which was on Thursday, May 5.

Smalls for All was set up in 2010 by Maria Macnamara who discovered after volunteering in Africa that not being able to afford underwear is not only a health and hygiene problem for some communities, it can be seen as a status symbol.

There is a belief that if a woman can afford underwear, she must have someone who looks after her such as a husband, brother or father.

If she can’t afford underwear, she is on her own and seen as vulnerable.

Angela Cunningham, Associate Nurse Director, Women and Children’s Services said: “We would like to thank our generous staff members and colleagues from across NHS Ayrshire and Arran who made donations.

“We are proud of their incredible response.”