Auburn Hospital collects donations for women in need over Christmas

Auburn Hospital has recently collected handbags filled with essential items to provide to underprivileged and homeless women in time for Christmas.

The donation was coordinated through the charity Share the Dignity and their Christmas campaign ‘It’s in the bag’.

Auburn Hospital quality and accreditation manager Sally Henderson coordinated the donation drive, collecting two teenage bags, six adult bags, and two mum & bub bags which include nappies, wipes, breast pads and other essential items for a new mum.

“’It’s in the bag’ gives Australian women and girls doing it tough over the holiday period reason to smile and feel cared for, as well as restoring some of their dignity,” Sally said.

“Not only did Auburn Hospital act as a collection point, but the social work department received bags through Share the Dignity for women who come through the emergency department or other areas of the hospital who may be underprivileged of experiencing domestic violence or homelessness.

“These bags will be managed through the social department and will provide much needed supplies to these women and girls to assist in restoring dignity in their lives.”

Other teams across Western Sydney Local Health District also help to distribute the packs, including Mount Druitt Centre for Addiction Medicine and the Western Area Adolescent Team.

Share the Dignity is an Australian charity bringing dignity to women and girls experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and period poverty through the distribution of period products.

Storr Liver Centre program operations manager Karin Ferguson has also supported the program for many years, recently collecting 30 packs of sanitary products from Westmead Hospital staff.

The Christmas campaign goes one step further and asks for donations of good condition handbags filled with essential items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and sanitary products.

Auburn Hospital had bags of extras donated that can be added to other essentials bags, including luxury hand creams, perfumes, slippers and soaps.

For more information about share the dignity go to www.sharethedignity.org.au.