For the 2nd year running Murrays Chemist in Dumfries have been doing a handbag and toiletries appeal to help support The First Base Agency who support local families who need help from their food bank.
This was idea was first set up by WomanKind Clydesdale which the owner of our Murrays Chemist in Dumfries’ wife supports.
Angela Amos, one of the staff at the shop told DGWGO “These gifts have been gratefully received for the past 2 years and it gives the kids something to give their mom at xmas. We are also including men’s toiletry bags this year. We have donated 56 handbags filled with toiletries and 24 men’s toiletry bags filled with goods.”
WomanKIND Dumfries is an offshoot of WomanKIND Clydesdale . The aim of the group is to reach out with acts of kindness to those in need and to involve the local Community if possible – these women are on a personal mission to make things better, starting with those around them.
The ladies, who comprise the staff of Murray Chemist in Galloway Street,asked their friends and customers to donate any unwanted new or used (but in good condition) handbags or men’s toilet-bags. They requested that a few practical toiletries were added to the bags too, if possible.
Angela continued “Bags and toiletries came flooding into the Chemist shop!
We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of people and the lovely bags and products donated”
The ladies then filled the handbags and man-bags with goodies. The ladies’ gifts were beautifully wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bow.
All these lovely presents will be distributed to The First Base Agency foodbank in Dumfries to bring a little happiness to those who are struggling this Christmas.”
But it’s not just at Christmas – there’s action all year round. WomanKIND Dumfries also oversee a project called The Bra Challenge. They have created a bra bin in the shop and encourage their customers to “bin their unwanted bras” in the box. These bras are then collected and sent away to a charity called Against Breast Cancer, who recycle old and worn bras and use the money generated for research into breast cancer and in cancer support services. They also send good quality bras to Africa where they are up-cycled by women and the material used to create items which they sell to support themselves.
For more information about the work of WomanKIND visit their facebook page WomanKIND Clydesdale or email them at [email protected]
The First Base Agency are going to send 10 of the bags to the woman’s domestic violence group also.
There is also a raffle and the money collected will be split between WomanKIND Clydesdale and The First Base agency. First prize is a DKNY bag filled with toiletries. Tickets can be purchased at Murrays Chemist in Galloway Street, Dumfries
