DONATIONS to help women’s refuges are being appealed for as Sandwell commemorates the work to eliminate violence against women.

Special boxes will be in place at all local libraries – including Cradley Heath, Blackheath, Oldbury and Rounds Green – for people to drop off donations to help people seeking help at sanctuaries.

The work will commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Saturday (November 25), also known as White Ribbon Day, and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, which run from November 25 to December 10.

Councillor Syeda Khatun, Sandwell Council’s deputy leader, said: “Refuges are asking for donations of 16 items that would be useful for women and children who arrive at a refuge and often come without anything.”

Donations to help the work of women’s refuges in the area are being sought from a list of wanted items, including toothbrushes and toothpaste for adults and children, shampoo and shower gel for adults and children, towels, bed sheets and sanitary products.

They are also seeking scarf and glove sets for children and adults, adult slippers, children’s toys, puzzles and games, as well as books, baby blankets, baby and infant clothes, gifts for teenagers, mug gift sets, craft sets or craft items and toiletry gift sets.

All libraries will also receive a book called A Room of Their Own by photographer Susan Meiselas, commissioned by Multistory, about women in a Black Country refuge. The book can also be bought to help raise funds for a West Midlands women’s refuge.

Libraries and community centres will also display leaflets from Black Country Women’s Aid to give more information and support numbers for anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or knows someone who is.