CAPTION: Decorated pants and bras have helped to raise money and awareness for cancer
Devon Church Lines Up Bras and Boxers for Cancer Charities Fundraiser
A church in Devon has been festooned with decorated underwear to raise money for cancer charities and raise awareness of certain types of cancer.
Underwear including pants, boxer shorts, bras and even a basque, was strung along washing lines inside St Mary the Virgin church in Marystowe, near Okehampton.
The undergarments had been donated by people in the community and there were prizes for the best decorated items.

This gardening themed pair of underwear won best decorated in the adults category.
The competition was judged by the church’s vicar, the Rev’d Andy Atkins, his wife Sarah and the curate Rev’d Phil Parker.
The fundraising event was organised by Joy McSmythers, who discovered she had breast cancer five years ago.
Joy has since got the all clear, and decided the exhibition of undies would be a brilliant opportunity to raise money for two charities close to her heart: the Primrose Foundation and the Chestnut Appeal, which both support patients at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital.
The Primrose Foundation provides treatment and supports women with breast cancer and the Chestnut Appeal supports men with prostate cancer and raises awareness of the disease.
So far £700 has been raised.
Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Joy said: “As much as it’s great to raise funds, I also wanted to raise awareness.”

Over 40 people from the local community entered a decorated undergarment to help the cause.
Along with raising money for the charities, Joy also hopes that the event has helped to raise awareness for people to check themselves regularly for signs of prostate and breast cancer, or to go and get tested when contacted by their GP.
Joy said, “[the event] has got people talking about breast cancer and prostate cancer.
“If you are invited to go to a screening, please go for the screening because it’s picked up early and can be managed.
“People don’t die of embarrassment, they die of cancer.”
Rev’d Phillip Parker said, “This bunting is like that on a naval ship; it sends a signal. That signal is, ‘We care! We love because He first loved us.”
“We had almost 40 people enter a decorated bra or a pair of boxer shorts, and people were so imaginative.
“They joined in to raise awareness and give thanks to those who have come through treatment, and also remember those who have sadly passed away.”
Amongst the underwear in the church, there was also a space for people to put a flower posy into a jam jar and place it in front the altar as a sign of remembrance or prayer.
On Sunday 19 February, the church held a special service for those who have lost someone to cancer and for those who are still battling it. It also celebrated those who have come through the other side.
You can listen to Rev’d Andy Atkins and Joy McSmithers being interviewed on BBC Radio Devon here (at 1 hour 51 minutes into the programme).
You can donate to the Primrose and Chestnut appeals here.