When Love Grace Handbag Appeal Tauranga co-ordinator Nicole Dutton got involved with the charity a year ago, she thought she would get 50 handbags.
“Last year, we donated 150 bags of love to the Tauranga Women’s Refuge,” Dutton said.
The Love Grace Handbag Appeal was launched following the death of Grace Millane, who was murdered in 2018 by Jesse Kempson, sending shockwaves through New Zealand society.
The charity’s website said: “Our Grace loved a handbag. In her name, we are collecting handbags and filling them with useful items for women in need.”
Like many who heard Millane’s story, Dutton was compelled to help: “It just resonated with me.”
Dutton covers Tauranga with four drop-off points: Barber Spence at 10/75 Bellevue Rd, Brookfield; Welcome Bay Dental at Unit 4/33 Hairini St, Hairini; Loretta’s Hair Spa at 12/20 Toorea St, Junction Studios, Papamoa; and My Ride Mt Maunganui at 37 Totora St.
“I have got one in every corner of the city,” said Dutton.
From February 15-March 8 Tauranga residents can drop off handbags at these locations, which will be donated to Tauranga’s Women’s Refuge.
People can also place new items inside the handbags – including toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant. “The basics,” said Dutton. “Everything else is extra love.”
Extras may include wipes, tissues, plasters, soaps, hand gel, lip balms, cotton buds, face cloths, torches, hairbrush, and sanitary products. Luxury items can include makeup, perfume, hairbands, hair clips, gloves, scarves, notebooks, pens, playing cards, purses, sunglasses and jewellery.
Money and alcohol cannot be accepted, Dutton said.
In 2024, the appeal set a nationwide target of 1500 but blew past this, distributing 5269 bags to Women’s Refuges across the motu.
“Last year, we had 35 co-ordinators across the country. This year, we have got 61 and about 101 drop-off points. So the appeal is growing.”
To help volunteer, email: pickles.nd@gmail.com.
Last year, Dutton was the sole campaigner around Tauranga, but this year she’s been joined by seasoned anti-violence against women campaigner Robyn Kehoe.
Kehoe will tackle Te Puna to Katikati, with drop-off points at The Old Ōmokoroa Library and the Challenge on State Highway 2.
Kehoe helped establish a Women’s Refuge and Rape Crisis Centre in the nineties, she said.
Millane’s murder was a harsh look in the mirror for New Zealand, said Kehoe who believes that her name was tarnished through the court process.
“That was the most devastating thing and one of the reasons why we need to keep her memory alive because her name was mud.”
To find out more, visit: lovegracenz.