Kristina Kozlovska and Tomas Horvath fished out an unusual handbag. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0875585)
MORE than 300 bargain hunters queued up for the second charity Handbags and Heels sale yesterday.
Organiser and Bridge 2 Sri Lanka founder Sarah Griffith was thrilled with the response to the event at The Farmhouse.
The proceeds will go towards the charity’s work helping people and communities in the area still affected by the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami.
‘The car park was full by 3pm when we started and cars were queued back to Specsavers,’ she said. ‘It’s been phenomenal.’
About 1,000 pairs of shoes and handbags had been donated.
Jill Cann looked after the handbag tables. ‘When we started, they were piled high with more than 500 bags,’ she said. ‘An hour in, we only have about 70 left.’
The bags ranged from £2 to £50, with most costing around £30.
‘There were some really good quality bags in there,’ said Mrs Cann. ‘We have had Mulberry, Gucci and Radley.’
The shoes, a new addition this year, proved equally popular.
Sandie Rowe said people seemed pleased with what was on offer.
‘People have been trying them on and they are selling like hot cakes,’ she said.
‘Some people have been buying two or three pairs at a time.’
Some shoppers who turned up half-way through the event were disappointed so much had been sold.
‘A lot has already gone,’ said Jean Walpole, 62.
‘I came today because I wanted to support Sarah and her fund-raising.’
Some people were doing some Christmas shopping.
Sandra Truelove, 33, spent £40 on three handbags and a pair of sandals. ‘I think this is a great idea and I really like to recycle items like this,’ she said.
Ms Griffith is already planning a similar event for next year.
‘The Farmhouse has been fantastic, but we never expected this volume of people,’ she said.
‘Last year was the first year and everyone enjoyed it, but this year was a lot bigger. Next year we might hold it in the St John’s hall so there is more space.’
The amount of money raised will be announced soon.
Article posted on 23rd November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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