Charity needs bags of help with its auction

A LICHFIELD charity which offers refuge to women escaping abusive relationships is appealing for donations of handbags for its fund-raising auction. The Pathway Project is planning the event for June and hoping the district's women will show their support both by donating handbags and attending. "We need good quality designer handbags, or indeed brands such as Radley or Fiorelli, that we can sell at the auction," said manager Jan White. "Bags from River Island or Next in good condition would also be great. "If we get a really classy designer bag to auction – Gucci for example – we will put a reserve price on it." As well as providing accommodation, Pathway helps women get on with their lives. "We do self-help groups not only in refuges but in the community as well," said Jan. "These include life skills such as budgeting, things that women may have been excluded from by their former partners. When you have been called stupid for years, you start to believe it. "These activities help to build self-esteem," said Jan. Pathway Project is only part-funded by the Government – it has to raise money to deliver its services which are managed at The Hope Centre at 71-73 Upper St John Street. "We run a 24-hour helpline service which women can call," said Jan. "We can get them out of situations very quickly. "Some women flee in the middle of the night – they pick up their kids and arrive in pyjamas. "Money raised at the auction will help buy food and clothes for them – funds are vital to the work we do." The Pathway Project is asking for handbags to be dropped at the Hope Centre. Alternatively call Jan on 07870 283032 and she will arrange for them to be picked up. "We are also accepting accessories – old jewellery, scarves and belts that we can sell," said Jan. Further details about the handbag auction will be published in the Mercury.