Charity Chest pop-up boutique adds $$$ to Women's Refuge Whanganui's coffers

Women's Refuge Whanganui chairwoman Paula Wade (right) and Charity Chest co-ordinator Carla Jayne Smith are grateful for the support for the pop-up boutique.

Women's Refuge Whanganui's latest pop-up boutique has raised $22,500 for the organisation.

It is the second three-week Charity Chest pop-up shop the Refuge has run this year, bringing in about $45,000 in total.

"The money goes locally to women and children and towards our new hub that we purchased in Ingestre St and any projects we have on," board chairwoman Paula Wade said.

"At this time of year, leading in to Christmas, it's a busier time for us. We're restocking, planning, doing food packs and making sure we have resources available, especially for children over the Christmas period.

"I'm so thankful and ecstatic about the amount we have raised. I have to thank our sponsors, our volunteers because we couldn't do it without them and everyone who donated and shopped."

Project co-ordinator Carla Jayne Smith said there had been local, national and international support with donations of new and pre-loved clothing, footwear and accessories for Charity Chest.

"We had about 15 volunteers on a rotating roster and this time had a store manager Lynda Armstrong and admin manager Sara Owen so operationally it was fine-tuned a bit better," Smith said.

"We had some regular shoppers who came in every week. The highlights included styling experiences which made the women feel amazing. Some came in during their lunch break and left completely styled over.

"We had Heartspeak pieces from Amanda Betts, auction pieces, all the local boutiques gave something, Karen Walker, Augustine by Kelly Coe and too many local sponsors to mention."

Smith said it took several months to organise the pop-up shop and another one was planned for 2019.