Each year members support DASH (Domestic Abuse Stops Here) by providing a bag of presents for each of the residents of the local Refuges. Often women fleeing from domestic abuse do not have the opportunity to take possessions with them so it is hoped that the items in these Christmas bags will not only be useful but will add a little bit of sparkle to their lives. This year there are 15 bags ready to go though sadly the COVID19 pandemic has meant that there has been a considerable increase in the number of victims not just locally but worldwide.
This year Phyllis Sigsworth also handed over a cheque to DASH relating to the royalties received from her recent autobiography covering her life in the police force, ‘A Beat from the Heart to the Heart of Power’.
The photos show Phyllis presenting her cheque to Jean Sinclair from the DASH Charity, who is also a member of Slough Windsor & Maidenhead club, and Irene, Phyllis and Jean with some of the Christmas bags.
Thank you from Dash and recipients:
I hope you are bearing up still in these awful times. We have returned to work after the break to one of the busiest times we’ve ever experienced, particularly a sharp rise in children’s cases. Our small team are currently supporting 143 adults and 32 children, with 20 children on the waiting list. The team are magnificent but it takes it toll on them inevitably.
Can you please pass on our thanks to the wonderful Soroptomists for their generous donations to our clients at Christmas? The gifts were distributed to the clients in our refuges and to some of our ‘community’ clients who we felt were most in need.
Some feedback below:
-I would like to thank you all for the gift bag, Very kind of you thanks again
-I’d like to thank everyone for their support and love and kind wishes through this difficult time.
Many thanks to you all
-I would like to say thank you for this heartfelt gift. You are all very considerate. Your kindness and generosity have brightened my heart. Please accept my deepest thanks.
-I just wanted to tell the wonderful women a massive thank you! It has been such a unexpected and incredible surprise your generous gift.
Keep shining and be the beaming light to those around you.
-Being in a refuge is strange at the best of times, let alone during Christmas time and during a pandemic. It was so so lovely to receive the gift bag earlier this week. During a year that’s been hard for everyone no matter their circumstances it’s so humbling and touching to see a group of women still thinking of others and it really means so much. It’s the first Christmas I’ve been able to do Christmas the way I want to for my daughters. To leave a plate out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve and leave the presents under the tree for them to find in the morning, and although there is a relief in being able to do this and to be in a safe and happy place there is that worry of being able to give them the best. With the generosity of these gifts it really will make things even more special. So thank you for showing love and care to ladies and families during a difficult time, you are truly very special and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks again Jean and for being a wonderful Ambassador for us.
Alison Bourne
Chief Executive Officer