SUPPORT FOR LOVE GRACE HANDBAG APPEAL
BY SHANNON COOK
The all-female team at Ray White Gore became an official drop-off point for the Love Grace Handbag Appeal, a charity honouring British tourist Grace Millane by providing handbags filled with essential items to women escaping domestic violence.
The murder of British tourist Grace Millane in 2018 in Auckland deeply impacted the New Zealand public and highlighted the continued prevalence of genderbased violence.
The team received 78 bags for the appeal. The bags were received from Gore and West Otago with some coming from out of town like Lawrence and Owaka.
Ray White marketing administrator Jann Robertson said the cause resonated with the team.
" It’ s an intrinsic story, about Grace Millane, and this is a great way of remembering her and doing something good for people as well," Jann told her local paper.
“ We are overwhelmed at the generosity from people and local businesses that donated both bags and items for bags.”
The appeal ran until International Women’ s Day on 8 March and all donations went to women’ s refuges across New Zealand.
RAY WHITE BYRON BAY BACKS WILDLIFE CARE AT WILD AID
BY SHANNON COOK
Ray White Byron Bay was proud to be one of the sponsors of the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital’ s second annual WILD AID fundraiser( pictured left), which raised over $ 38,000 to support the treatment of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.
The event featured top comedians, including Jimeoin, Lehmo, and Mandy Nolan, and a high-energy live auction with exclusive experiences and items.
With the hospital providing free expert veterinary care for over 8,000 native animals, fundraisers like WILD AID are crucial to continuing their work. The proceeds from this year’ s event will help treat over 70 wildlife patients, reinforcing the essential role of community support in protecting the region’ s native species.
“ We love being part of this amazing community, and giving back is just part of who we are,” Ray White Byron Bay agent April Nicholson said.
“ Supporting local legends like the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital means we’ re helping protect our incredible environment and the wildlife that makes this place so special. It’ s all about coming together, making a difference, and celebrating the place we’ re lucky to call home.”
Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital founder and CEO Dr Stephen Van Mil expressed deep gratitude to the community, auction donors, performers, and sponsors, including Ray White Byron Bay, for making the event possible.
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