Royal Navy and Gosport charity transform 'life rafts to handbags'

According to the Royal Navy the first wave of goods sold out almost immediately upon launch at the end of April 2023

Charities have turned two tonnes of old Royal Navy equipment into fashion accessories.

The project by Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RMRMC) and Gosport-based Oarsome Chance gave employment, and manufacturing and design skills, to disadvantaged young people.

The scheme Life Rafts to Handbags has saved waste materials, including old rafts, from landfill.

It has raised more than £5,700 for the RMRMC.

Out-of-date or unusable life-saving equipment, like rafts and jackets, has been converted into handbags, backpacks, wallets, laptop cases and passport holders among other accessories.

The programme converted out-of-date or unusable life-saving equipment like rafts and jackets into things like backpacks

According to the Royal Navy, the first wave of goods sold out almost immediately upon launch at the end of April 2023, with a constant flow of sales above expectations since.

Former Royal Navy sailor Bob Field, who heads the project at the RNRMC, said: "We've managed to take difficult or impossible-to-recycle materials, materials destined for a landfill, and make incredible products with new value.

"I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. It would be excellent if this was the way forward with other pieces of kit across all of defence."

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