5 days ago
Designer Clothing Sale raising funds for refuge
Getting the racks ready for today's Designer Clothing Sale to raise funds for the Ōtepoti-Dunedin Whānau Refuge are (from left) Isabella Lawrey, Abigail Spratt and Elizabeth Kinney. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
Domestic violence does not discriminate. So a group of University of Otago law students have banded together to run a Designer Clothing Sale today to raise money for the Ōtepoti-Dunedin Whānau Refuge.
The refuge is a safe house where people can go if they are in imminent danger from family violence.
Fundraising group co-leader Isabella Lawrey said she had friends who had been in situations where their life was in danger and they had to leave.
"You never know if it will affect you, because domestic abuse doesn't really discriminate," Ms Lawrey said.
"We're doing this because we're in a position to do something to help these people now."
Ms Lawrey said the Designer Clothing Sale would be held at 343 George St, and would include brand new and designer wear from fashion houses like Flo&Frankie, Dylan Kain, Stolen Girlfriends Club, and Pavement, all donated by local businesses.
"It's great for a stretched student budget too, with discounts of up to 50% up for grabs."
The doors would open at 10am, she said.
"We usually run until 3, but if people stick around, we'll be slightly flexible — as long as the money keeps rolling in."
The Designer Clothing Sale is one of five events being run by the student group to raise funds for the refuge.
Another one is an auction to be held later this month, where restaurant, accommodation and experience vouchers will be auctioned off.
And next month a concert, a quiz night and a bake sale will be held in the student quarter to raise money.
"Last year, the Designer Clothing Sale alone raised $27,000 which has been our best effort yet, and contributed to over $67,000 raised across the five events, which again has been our most successful year yet," Ms Lawrey said.
"We hope to raise even more this year. It would be nice to keep the momentum going.
"The funds raised will go towards the Ōtepoti-Dunedin Whānau Refuge, which provides safety and support to families affected by domestic violence around Otago.
"The facility is currently the only centre of its kind in the entire Otago region, serving a large catchment spanning hundreds of kilometres.
"So that's why this fundraising is such an important thing."
