Fifty-six colourful and giftladen handbags were popular with the about 200 people who attended the Safe Families Handbags & Gladrags sale recently.
The evening raised $17,000, which will help Safe Families provide resources, education and training to prevent family harm in Mid Canterbury.
Event organiser and coordinator of Safe Families, Anna Arrowsmith, said it was ‘‘such a great evening’’.
‘‘I was a little blown away with the generosity of everyone given the cost of living crisis.’’
Fourteen handbags were prizes in a raffle, 10 were offered in a silent auction, while the main auction offered 32 handbags each containing goodies and vouchers. The lowest priced fetched was $110, while two sold for $575 each.
Among the many on offer was a handmade hand bag that doubled as vase. Crafted by deputy mayor Liz McMillan, it sold for $320.
Arrowsmith is now busy planning the annual White Ribbon Quiz. Teams of six will compete at the quiz, held at the Hotel Ashburton on November 22.
