The recent Love Grace Handbag Appeal in Aotearoa New Zealand has received an extraordinary response, with 7,489 handbags donated nationwide to support women escaping abusive relationships.

Just some of the many handbag donations

The appeal was created by the family of Grace Millane, a 21-year-old British backpacker who was tragically murdered in Auckland in 2018. Grace was killed by a man she met on a dating app while travelling in New Zealand. Her death shocked the nation and led to widespread conversations about violence against women.

In her memory, Grace’s family established the Love Grace Handbag Appeal, combining her love for handbags with a powerful legacy to help end violence against women. The campaign partners with Women’s Refuge to provide handbags filled with essential items to women in need—items such as toothbrushes, shampoo, tissues, plasters, soap, lip balm, pens, and scarves.

This year’s campaign saw widespread community support, including an impressive 200 beautiful handbags donated at the Warkworth drop-off point.

Warkworth donations spread out into a heart shape!

The handbags are more than just practical—they offer hope, dignity, and a fresh start to those escaping domestic abuse.

Organisers are deeply grateful for the generosity shown and hope to make next year’s appeal even bigger.

Join the mailing list to be the first to know when the campaign launches next year. https://lovegracehandbagappealnz.kit.com/c1b8fbd7fd

https://www.facebook.com/lovegraceuk