A special event was held in Dorchester for the unsung heroes of the West Dorset Women’s Refuge.

Members of the refuge said their thanks to those who have helped support the refuge over the past 12 years, by holding a buffet lunch in the Dorford Centre.

More than 150 supporters turned up to the event, either as part of an organisation or as an individual, which was held as part of International Elimination of Violence Against Women Week.

Molly Rennie, chairman of the refuge, alongside Pauline Collier, the manager of the refuge, gave speeches at the event where they welcomed and thanked all those who attended.

Hundreds of pounds were also raised from donations received at the lunch including from Battens solicitors, the Thrift Shop in Bovington and Culliford Court in Dorchester.

Mrs Rennie said the event was a great success and all the money raised will go towards taking the children to see Peter Pan at Weymouth Pavilion for Christmas.

The refuge will provide the transport, the show, dinner afterwards as well as presents for the children to open on Christmas day.

Members of the refuge also take the children Christmas shopping so they can buy presents for their mothers.

Mrs Rennie said: “The support the community has given us has just been amazing.

“They turned up trumps yet again to help fund our Christmas.

“It was extremely important for Pauline and me to say thank you on behalf of the hundreds of women who couldn’t say it personally.”

Mrs Rennie added: “It was all to do with giving something back.

“The local community have actually helped to make the refuge into a home rather than just a place to escape to.”

Mrs Rennie added that some of the women who had spent time at the refuge also turned up to celebrate the event.

Mother-of-two Sandy Evans, 41, stayed at West Dorset Women’s Refuge four years ago, before eventually settling in Dorset.

Ms Evans, who attended the lunch, said she has spent time at several refuges but her best experience had been at West Dorset’s.

She said: “I would like to say thank you to Molly and Pauline and all the rest of the staff, but also to the people who have helped support it.

“Sometimes you leave a refuge with nothing but the clothes you have on and if you arrive at a new one that has been given clothes or furniture or all those little things, it really makes a big difference.

“Just to know that all those people are trying to help is really encouraging – it means a lot.”

West Dorset’s Women’s Refuge telephone is manned 24 hours a day – if you need advice call 01305 262444.