FILL A BAG (or more) FOR PHIL THE BAG

Most members will recall that  two years ago we collected large quantities of unwanted textiles and other goods which went to an organisation which specialises in recycling textiles Phil the Bag. This organisation collects the sacks of textiles we accumulate, pays us for them by weight, and then distributes as much as possible to people in need in developing countries. In 2012/13 we collected 114 sacks of textiles and raised 267. At the Club Assembly in June we agreed that the International and Foundation Committee should arrange another collection this year, with the proceeds going to the Rotary Foundations polio eradication campaign.      

Phil the Bag accepts almost any textiles, including clothing, shoes, handbags, sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers, curtains and towels. The most recent criteria differ from those issued when we last organised a collection.  Phil the Bag no longer accepts blankets, duvets, pillows, sleeping bags or rugs/carpets. It has never accepted any textiles that are wet or even damp.

I suggest that we all ask our families, friends and neighbours for their unwanted textiles to add to those we accumulate in our own homes. I believe that now is a good time to start Christmas is approaching and we all may be lucky enough to receive new items of clothing, or even new slippers! What better time than this to turn out the old. I and other members of the International and Foundation Committee have distributed sacks to club members and more are available. I suggest that filled sacks are kept in your garages as sacks stored at

Bodles in the past have frequently been attacked by mice.

I have arranged for Phil the Bag to collect the filled sacks from The Beehive on Tuesday 24 March this is deliberately a long term collection to give us a good opportunity to accumulate a very large quantity of textiles and to surpass both the amount collected and the money raised in 2012/13. I make no apologies for the frequent reminders about this collection over the coming weeks and months.