A simple handbag made a powerful difference for more than 15,000 women across New Zealand last year. Now the Love Grace Handbag Appeal New Zealand is back, calling on the community to donate handbags filled with essential items for women escaping domestic violence.
Created in memory of Grace Millane, the 21-year-old British traveller who was murdered while visiting New Zealand in 2018, the appeal transforms Grace’s passion for handbags into practical support and dignity for women arriving at refuge with little more than the clothes they are wearing.
Each donated handbag is filled with everyday essentials such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, sanitary products, sunscreen, lip balm, a notebook, playing cards and other small personal items. The bags end up at places like the women’s refuge and services supporting Pacific and other community groups.
Locally, the initiative has strong backing. Resonia Jackson says the appeal is close to her heart. She has been busy collecting donations, arranging drop-off points and donating her time to The Sparkle Project, run by Rose and Luna, which transforms unwanted jewellery into pieces gifted to local charities and projects like the Love Grace Handbag Appeal New Zealand. This year, The Sparkle Project will create a charm for every bag donated.
About 200 volunteers across the country are helping this year, excluding individuals donating filled handbags, with this year expected to be the biggest yet.
“The handbags have a dual purpose,” Resonia explains. “Many women arrive at refuge with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. The handbags providing immediate practical items while also offering something personal to call their own, creating a starting point, the handbag offers relief dignity and support.”
“Bags are more than just a collection of items, they are a symbol of community care, making woman/ wāhine feel valued and not judged. It’s our community that supports their new journey to recovery” she adds.
Drop-off locations in Nelson Tasman include:
• Skincare Clinic, 3 Alma Lane, Nelson
• Altitude Pole, 5 Pascoe Street, Tāhunanui
• Ester and her team at Pagani, Richmond Mall
• Marion at Coast Clothing, Ruby Bay
• Dee Sturgeon at Motueka Farm Machinery, 32 King Edward Street, Motueka
The appeal is running now until Women’s Day on 8 March.
Resonia would like to extend a special thank you to Sean Harnetty of Waimea Print Express, who volunteered to print posters and sponsor the local campaign.
Grace’s cousin Hannah and her mother have reached out to share messages of gratitude, thanking the community for continuing to honour Grace’s legacy in such a meaningful way.
If you are in a position to help, please donate a filled handbag to one of the locations above or donate items to go into the handbags- because sometimes, a handbag is more than a handbag. It is dignity. It is care. It is hope.
