Yellowwood Park women help bring comfort to rape survivors

Each year, Hanneli Preston from Aunt Hanneli's Helping Hand drives this initiative to make a difference in the lives of survivors of rape.

May 5, 2023

Yoshini Perumal 1 minute read

Linda Hewer (vice president of the Yellowwood Park Evening Womens Institute), Hanneli Preston and Vanessa Wilesmith (president of the Yellowwood Park Evening Womens Institute).

WOMEN from the Yellowwood Park Women’s Institute were geared up to embark on a drive to collect items to fulfill the wish list for Aunt Hanneli’s Helping Hand’s 1 000 rape survivor bags initiative.

Hanelli Preston from Aunt Hanneli’s Helping Hand collected the donated items.

Unable to keep their hands away from the project, which is close to their hearts, members of the institute went a step further and used their talents to sew drawstring bags and knit toys, which will be included in the bags.

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President of the institute, Vanessa Wilesmith, said she was proud that her team of remarkable women was able to give support to the initiative.

“Each year, Hanneli Preston drives this initiative to make a difference in the lives of survivors of rape. She collects items from the public to try and fill the bags, which are donated to Bobbi Bear and the Jess Foord Foundation.

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“Our team donated items including soap, facecloths, toothbrushes and toothpaste, unscented sanitary towels and new underwear towards the bags. We are glad that we were also able to donate the sewn bags and toys, which was handmade with love by our team so it is something special,” Wilesmith said.

To volunteer or join the Yellowwood Park Women’s Institute, contact Vanessa Wilesmith on 082 722 9334.

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