St John the Divine

Bishop Helen-Ann is delighted to launch her Christmas Appeal for 2024 – in aid of Love Grace - Handbag Appeal.

The appeal was set up in memory of Grace Millane, a British backpacker who was tragically murdered while travelling in New Zealand in 2018, aged just 22.

Grace (pictured below) was known for her love of handbags and now, handbags are being collected and filled with useful items for women in need. More than 23,000 women in the UK, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Singapore have received a Love Grace handbag.

Hannah O'Callaghan OBE, of the Love Grace team, said: “We cannot thank Bishop Helen-Ann enough for choosing Love Grace as her 2024 Christmas Appeal. With the support of the parishioners and people of Newcastle Diocese we can raise awareness of the issues many face, and help offer practical empowerment for those who have experienced domestic abuse."

Churches are being encouraged to start their own collections, for people to bring handbags and / or toiletries if they are able. Handbags can be new or lightly used and large enough for a selection of toiletries. Donations can be dropped off at Swalwell Cricket Club or Church of the Holy Saviour Tynemouth.

Grace's cousin, Elizabeth Lee, worships at Holy Saviour Tynemouth and Bishop Helen-Ann is encouraging people across the diocese to support the handbag appeal.

Bishop Helen-Ann said: "This year, for my Christmas appeal I am inviting us to support Love Grace, which aims to help women whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence, raising awareness through supporting the work of a number of charities in the UK and specifically providing handbags filled with suitable items for affected women. To help the work of Love Grace, I’d like to encourage churches to do their own collections and then drop donations off at either Swalwell Cricket Club or Church of the Holy Saviour Tynemouth.

"Donations can be a gently used or new handbags, any items that can contribute towards making a lovely handbag gift for victims of domestic abuse. Do look on the Love Grace website at the Amazon wish list also, which allows you to purchase items and get sent directly to their HQ to go straight into the bags."

For more information visit lovegrace.co.uk

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