Bags of support for Love Grace appeal

Holdalls of help are being collected at Māpua’s Ruby Coast. The pre-loved clothing store is once again a collection point for the Love Grace appeal, which collects handbags filled with toiletries and small luxuries to support and empower victims of domestic abuse.

The charity was established in memory of British tourist Grace Millane, who was murdered in Auckland in 2018.

Ruby Coast owner Marion Watson says that as an English person living in New Zealand, the case just resonated with her.

“To watch on the news a young person coming here and that happening – it’s just horrifying,” she recalls.”

She feels that now, more than ever, we need to educate our daughters and granddaughters to protect them from abuse in all its forms, including emotional and psychological violence.

“I think we need to be teaching our young girls, it’s not your fault.  We have to say to them, no man should make you feel a certain way or put his hands on you,” she adds.

Marion says that last year she was thrilled to accept about 50 bags as a Love Grace drop-off point.  About 500 handbags were collected from around the Top of the South, with more than 5000 donated nationally.

The bags need to be either new or “lightly used” and in great condition. Suggested fillers include toothpaste and brushes, lip balms, face clothes, torches, notepads, makeup, deodorant and plasters.

“Thank you to all of those people who took the time last year, as well as this year, to go out and get those things,” Marion says.

The appeal runs from Valentines Day, 14 February, to International Women’s Day, Saturday, 8 March.

Collection points for the Top of the South include Ruby Coast on Māpua’s Aranui Road, Altitude Pole & Fitness at 5 Pascoe St in Tāhunanui, as well as the Tasman District Council office in Richmond and the Nelson City Council on Trafalgar Street.

The bags are sorted by local coordinators who get them to support organisations for distribution.

For further information about the appeal, contact Ruby Coast at [email protected] or search for the store or the Love Grace Handbag Appeal on Facebook.

For urgent help from Whakatū Refuge Trust, call their crisis line on 0800 163 344.