Bags of love for Grace Millane legacy

Stepping up to make a difference for women in need has shown Katie Phillips the power of putting your hand up.

When the Herb and Olive café staff member shared a post on social media, she had no idea it would spark such a response.

And now thanks to the Love Grace Handbag Appeal, Marlborough Women’s Refuge have about 100 bags ready to be handed on to those in need.

The quantity and quality of the donations, given in memory of British tourist Grace Millane, have been wonderful, Katie says.

“I started by sharing the Love Grace appeal to my Facebook page, but I hadn’t actually seen there was no drop off for Marlborough.

“The organisers said they hadn’t been able to get a drop off point here, but my friend Julie got me in touch with Meg from Volunteer Marlborough and Rachel at the Women’s Refuge.

“I actually loved filling up my handbag to donate, I did it with my two sons which was slightly entertaining!”

The nationwide Love Grace Handbag Appeal helps victims of domestic abuse by collecting handbags containing essential items.

Grace’s fondness for handbags saw her family and friends create the initiative as a legacy in her name.

With many Marlburians keen to help, drop off points were arranged at Volunteer Marlborough in Blenheim, Havelock Charity Shop and in Picton.

Katie says she really appreciates Dahna from Picton and Amber in Havelock who volunteered to help with the appeal collection, which finished last Friday.

Next year Katie promises to join the official Love Grace appeal, so “watch this space!”