WITH just a month to go before the opening date, the new supported accommodation for West Dorset Women’s refuge needs your help.

The new building will cater for nine domestic abuse victims in the five units and be given daily support from the staff at the existing West Dorset Women’s refuge in Dorchester.

It comes after county councillors decided in July 2011 to close the existing Weymouth Refuge and instead offer more community outreach services.

Now, nearly two years later, the second stage supported accommodation is planned to open in April, allowing women and their children to move one step closer to living back in the community.

Chairman of the West Dorset Women’s Refuge Molly Rennie and Hamlet chairman Mary Watson are asking for donations in order to furnish the new flats.

Mrs Rennie said: “What we really need is donations so that we can finish furnishing these flats waiting for the women to move in.

“This accommodation is an essential part of allowing the women to move on from the secure refuge and get used to living within the community again.”

She praised the support that they have already received from various local groups, including the Melcombe Regis Rotary Club, who have just donated £500 to equip the Hamlet with kettles and white goods for the kitchen.

Mrs Rennie went shopping at The Range in Dorchester, where the store managers have offered them a discount to buy all their goods for the new Hamlet.

Ian Brooke of Melcombe Regis Rotary Club said: “We Rotarians think it is important to show the women in the Refuge and their children that someone does care.”

Bedding and towels bought for police lodgings in Dorset during the Olympics has also been donated.

To donate, contact Molly Rennie on 01305 268572.

Alternatively, you can donate at the Dorset Echo offices in Antelope Walk, Dorchester, or the Granby Industrial Estate.

Please leave donations in an envelope care of Miriam Phillips for the Hamlet, West Dorset Women’s Refuge.

Cheques must be payable to WDWR.

For further information contact Miriam on 01305 830995 or email Miriam.phillips@ dorsetecho.co.uk