An inaugural gala to support women and children affected by domestic violence took centre stage last weekend, in a female-only event format, a first for Mackay.
The initiative came from local entrepreneur Jo Sainsbury, founder of Kickass Women, to provide an opportunity to celebrate women and the strength they bring to the lives of so many, but also a time to bring about awareness and raise much needed funds for domestic violence.
Funds raised on the evening will be donated to the Mackay Women’s Centre, and thanks to the generosity of the event’s gold sponsors, 12 Hope Bags were also donated to the Women’s Centre. The Hope Bags are filled with the essentials that a woman and her children need to survive and seek help in the 24 – 48 hours after fleeing a domestic, family or sexual violence situation.
In addition to raising money and awareness, the conversations to flow during and after the event is immeasurable.
Photo credit: Alyce Holzy Photography
