Charity organisation Share the Dignity is urging the Peel region not to forget about women and teenage girls seeking refuge from domestic violence or experiencing homelessness this holiday season.
In an effort to ensure that these women and girls do not go without, the charity has launched their 2019 It's in the Bag Christmas Appeal.
"We want to give local women and girls doing it tough over the holiday period a reason to smile and feel cared for, as well as restoring some of their dignity by providing them with handbags filled with essential hygiene products, as well as a few extra little treats," Mandurah Share the Dignity volunteer Mary Reid said.
In Australia, domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and their children and most women leaving a violent relationship move out of their home.
Each year one in 42 women aged 15-24 will access a specialist homelessness service.
This year is the fifth the charity has run the Christmas campaign, and they are hoping for the biggest response ever in 2019.
"We've been blown away by the support this collection receives each and every year, and we'd love the communities support to show these women and girls that they are in our thoughts this Christmas," Ms Reid said.
The It's in the Bag campaign asks those more fortunate than others to fill a handbag in good condition that you no longer use with items that will make a difference (specifically hygiene products), add some small luxuries to help the recipient feel special and donate it to the worthy cause.
Individuals who donate bags are encouraged to pop a thoughtful note into the bag to show these women and girls that someone cares and that they matter.
The campaign will run from November 22 through to December 7 and bags can be dropped off at all Bunnings stores.
Mandurah Share the Dignity volunteers will collect the donated bags and distribute to shelters and charities, ensuring they are available for women and girls in time for Christmas.
