Two women with bags of influence
Shona Smith, from the Taranaki Women’s Refuge, and New Plymouth influencer Annalee Kemsley are being kept busy bagging up thousands of dollars worth of goods for children affected by family violence.
‘‘It’s for the mums as well. It’s that relief that, even if just for a few moments, their child is happy and distracted.’’
Shona Smith
Women’s Refuge relationship manager
The fruits of a Taranaki influencer’s charitable labour has produced around 150 kitted-out emergency relief bags for children affected by family violence.
Last year, makeup artist and beauty vlogger Annalee Kemsley, 30, raised more than $8300 for Taranaki Women’s Refuge through a series of online auctions selling her own and donated clothing items.
The proceeds have been spent on brand-new quality school bags, lunchboxes, food, colouring books, pencils and cases, sunblock and sanitary items, with companies also showing interest in donating further goods to the cause.
This week, Kemsley and Shona Smith, Women’s Refuge relationship manager, started packing the bags, readying them for those in need.
‘‘They’ll be handled by our social workers, those working with our clients on the ground who know who needs this stuff,’’ Smith said.
She expected children in receipt of the bags would be elated by the gift, and said it would also serve as a distraction during a potentially traumatic time for them.
‘‘It’s for the mums as well.
‘‘It’s that relief that, even if just for a few moments, their child is happy and distracted. It’s a big thing.’’
Kemsley, who has thousands of followers on her social media platforms, has long been advocating for Women’s Refuge, lending her time and influence.
Her passion to help the organisation was borne from the 2013 death of her close friend Kara Doyle in Australia.
Doyle’s boyfriend, Mehmet Torun, shot her in the stomach and dumped her at a petrol station. She died in hospital six days later. He was jailed for eight years for manslaughter.
Last year, as New Zealand was plunged into coronavirus alert level 4 lockdown in March, Kemsley feared the situation would lead to more domestic violence.
Looking to make good use of her time while in lockdown, Kemsley considered how she could help others.
This sparked the series of auctions, and she is now thrilled to see a return on the money raised and is moved to tears realising the difference it will make for some families.
‘‘I think it’s something that can help them go through those traumatic times... it’ll help soften those overwhelming emotions for the kids.’’