Thames locals are stepping up to support women escaping domestic violence through the Love Grace Handbag Appeal, a nationwide initiative that delivers handbags filled with essential items to women in need.
This year, Norelle Broughton has picked up the baton to be the Thames-based coordinator, and has organised Pamper Me MediSpa as a local drop-off point to make it easier for the community to contribute.
“I’ve donated a handbag in the last two campaigns, and last year there was no drop-off point in Thames, and the coordinator was in Matarangi. So I decided we really needed to have someone in Thames this year and applied,” Norelle told The Profile.
“I approached Pauline DeThierry at Pamper Me MediSpa and she was really enthusiastic about being involved.”
The Love Grace Handbag Appeal, created in memory of Grace Millane, a British traveller murdered while backpacking in New Zealand in 2018, combines Grace’s love of handbags with helping women in crisis.
Grace’s family in the UK launched the initiative to honour her memory by providing handbags filled with essential items to women escaping domestic violence.
The appeal is running until International Women’s Day on March 8, and donated handbags can be filled with essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.
Now in its fifth year in New Zealand, the appeal has seen more than 15,000 handbags gifted to women through Women’s Refuge services.
“Domestic violence is a huge issue in New Zealand, and a lot of it goes ‘under the radar’ as it takes a lot of courage and usually many attempts for a woman to leave successfully,” Norelle said. “Often they walk out with nothing, so a handbag with some essentials, given with love, can make a huge difference.”
Handbags don’t need to be brand new, just in good condition, Norelle said, and donors can drop them off at Pamper Me Medispa in Thames before March 8.
DETAILS: For more information on the Love Grace Handbag Appeal, find lovegracehandbagappealnewzealand on Facebook.
BY KELLEY TANTAU
