Thousands respond to North West Beauty Shoebox Appeal

600 beauty boxes have reached women in need this Christmas, thanks to your generosity.

More than £30,000 worth of beauty products have been donated to a shoebox appeal, aimed at helping victims of domestic violence. Elle for Elle co-founders Rachel O’Hare and Lynette Page-Collin said they have been ‘amazed’ at the response to their Beauty Shoebox campaign which was created just six weeks ago.

As well as featuring on national and regional TV and radio, on social media, the campaign has collectively reached more than 2 million people. Rachel and Lynette have even been contacted by donors as far as Scotland, London and even Miami and Malaysia.

They have been supported by beauty leaders at Smashbox Studios in London as well as national cosmetics brand Baylis and Harding and online giant BooHoo, who have all donated generously to the cause. Elle for Elle’s North-West focused Christmas campaign has been backed by over 50 businesses who acted as drop-off points and around 600 boxes were donated in total.

Lynette said: “We honestly couldn’t believe how kind everyone has been to donate such incredible gift boxes. It’s been amazing to see the power that something so simple carries when it has such a strong meaning behind it.”

Many of the shoeboxes, filled with gifting items such as beauty, cosmetics, shower gels and hair care, have already been donated to refuge’s in Manchester, Chester, Liverpool, Warrington, Wirral and beyond. In the final push this weekend, the remaining Beauty Shoeboxes will be donated to the rest of the 70 refuges throughout the North West that Elle for Elle currently works with.

Rachel O’Hare, who co-founded the female-focused organisation with Lynette, added: “Christmas is a time when domestic abuse is on the rise, but all throughout the year we support women in crisis. The refuges will be busy over the festive period for sure, and these boxes will be a real treat for women following the hardship and suffering they have had to face from their abusers. We can’t thank all of our supporters enough for being so generous and kind.”

To find out more go to www.elleforelle.org.uk or to help/volunteer email elleforelleuk@gmail.com or go to Instagram @elleforelleuk for all the latest updates.

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