BNZ have spent the last four years successfully running the annual appeal and collected several thousand bags, filled with essentials to donate to women that have been affected by domestic abuse.

This year, however, the Love Grace Handbag appeal will be run by the women of New Zealand.

Kylie-Ann Kearney, this year's organiser, first ran an appeal in 2020 when she saw a Facebook post from the UK Love Grace Handbag Appeal and wanted to do something similar in New Zealand.

After getting the go ahead from Grace Millanes cousin Hannah, who runs the Love Grace charitable appeal in the UK, Kylie-Ann reached out to her network of friends to ask for help.

Seven locations around New Zealand were organised, and during the appeal collected over 1000 bags to be donated to the women’s refuges around NZ.

This year Kylie-Ann wanted to go bigger and decided to reach out to the community of loyal followers on the Love Grace NZ Facebook page that was created back in 2020.

The overwhelming response was incredible, and the amount of support received has been enough to help make this appeal nationwide.

Kylie-Ann Kearney commented “Without the support of all the women who have contacted me to join my team for this years Love Grace Handbag appeal, I would not have been able to pull this off.

“We hope to continue to grow this appeal and raise awareness of male violence against women in NZ.”

The appeal which runs between Valentines day and International Women’s day (14th February to 8th March) has 36 locations New Zealand wide that will accept donations.

That is 38 amazing women who have put their hand up to coordinate the appeal in their area, and 66 businesses that have agreed to be drop off points during the appeal.

What is truly amazing about this, is that none of these women know each other.

They are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, their desire to create change, to help as many women as possible currently escaping domestic violence, and to commemorate the life of Grace Millane.

“Violence against women is not OK.

“In the memory of Grace Millane, the Love Grace charitable appeal was set up by her family to combine Grace’s love for handbags with a legacy to end violence against women.

“In association with Women’s Refuges, we are collecting handbags and filling them with useful items for women in need.”

All updates will be shared on the New Zealand Love Grace Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/lovegracenz/

If you are wanting to donate a bag during the appeal dates you can check our drop off points here.

For further information on what items to fill the bags with download this years flyer.

For more information on the Love Grace UK charity visit their website - https://www.lovegrace.co.uk/