Women's Refuge benefits to the tune of €8,000 from Trim lunch

Trim Ladies' Circle hosted a very successful fundraising lunch in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, on 24th April, raising more than €8,000 for Meath Women's Refuge. The 120 women who attended the lunch were treated to a champagne reception and fashion show on arrival. Clothes from local boutiques. Ebony, Diaz, Nina's and also Mademoiselle in Naas, Co Kildare, were modelled as well as some children's clothes from Nina's, Little Piggys Shoe Shop and Equipet in Navan. Lunch was served in the exquisite Rococo Restaurant followed by music from 'The Controversial All-Stars' in the Terrace Bar. DJ Tomo Greene was then on hand to keep the ladies dancing into the small hours of Sunday morning. Meath Women's Refuge was the sole beneficiary, and in conjunction with the support from local businesses, who were again very generous with both donations and prizes for the raffle, the lunch raised over €8,000. Both Trim Ladies' Circle and the Meath Women's Refuge have extended thanks to all those who attended the lunch, the management and staff of Knightsbrook Hotel and all the businesses who supported the event. Formed in 2001, Trim Ladies' Circle has 17 active members and Sharon Woolfson is the current chairperson. The club is primarily a social outlet, but also raises money for local charitable causes. Over the last nine years, Trim Ladies' Circle has raised approximately €138,000 for many worthy causes. They have hosted two casino nights, a pub quiz, completed mini-marathons, a gala ball, designed and sold Christmas cards and for the last two years and have hosted a number of very successful lunch events. From the proceeds of these fundraisers, Trim Ladies' Circle has supported Trim Arch Club, financed the establishment of Teentext Meath (run by ISPCA), purchased learning equipment for Trim Autism Unit, paid for the decorating of a day room in the Alzheimer's Unit at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim; made significant monetary donations to Aware and Make a Wish Foundation, and kitted out a sensory room for Enable Ireland at St Joseph's Hospital. On an annual basis, it has also contributed to Meath Women's Refuge, Navan, and Meals on Wheels in Trim. The Ladies' Circle also made a one-off donation towards financing volunteers to travel to build orphanages in Moldova and assisted a local child's medical expenses to the United States. Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services was the ladies' chosen charity for 2009/2010. The mission of Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services is to provide information, crisis accommodation, counselling, outreach support and transitional housing to women and their children who are experiencing all forms of abuse and to provide a safe, caring and non-judgmental environment to clients, regardless of their economic, social or cultural background. The confidential helpline number for Meath Women's Refuge is (046) 902 2393.