The cousin of a murdered backpacker is campaigning to help vulnerable women across the North East.
Liz Lee's cousin Grace Millane, 21, was killed while travelling in New Zealand in December 2018. Her family reported her missing when she didn't reply to messages which they had sent her on her 22nd birthday.
Grace's body was found buried in Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, near the city of Auckland, seven days later. She had been strangled to death by her Tinder date Jesse Kempson.
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The 26-year-old, from New Zealand, had met Grace, from Essex, for a date on the night before her birthday. He claimed in court that she had died during consensual sex.
However a jury rejected his claim and found him guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years. An appeal by the killer to overturn his conviction was dismissed by the Supreme Court in New Zealand.
Following Grace's death, her family created an campaign to support domestic abuse victims. The 'Love Grace' appeal involved filling handbags with essential and luxury products and giving them out to women in need.
They initially hoped to make 'Love Grace' handbags. However the ongoing support and generosity of people has meant that 13,000 handbags have now been handed over to domestic abuse refuges.
'Love Grace' now operates across the UK as well as in New Zealand, USA, Canada and Singapore.
Liz, who lives in North Tyneside, said: "Grace was full of life. She was always up for an adventure. She was really excited to go and see the world. She was a keen artist, a fantastic photographer and she was really funny.
"Grace was an absolutely gorgeous girl who loved handbags. She loved getting dressed up and going out. We wanted to do something positive in her name."
A 'Love Grace' label is attached to each handbag. It contains a picture of a flower painted by Grace as well as her handwriting, taken from a card which she'd given her mum Gillian Millane. On the back, is a picture of Grace and some information about her.
Last year, Liz decided to run the appeal in the North East for the first time and made up more than 150 bags. This year, she is hoping to support even more people in the area.
The children's physio said: "This is our second appeal in the North East. Before I was taking the stuff down south but I think a lot of people like to donate to local people.
"Last year, we made 157 bags. This year we would like to make 200. Every handbag is stuffed to the brim with essential and luxury items. I will donate the bags to women's refuges all around the North East."
The current 'Love Grace' appeal began on December 6 last year and is set to close on Sunday (February 5). People have been donating items to the drop off points and offering to give up their time to pack the bags.
Anyone who would like to donate can visit one of the four designated drop off points. For more information about what can be donated click here.
The local drop of points are located at:
- Swalwell Cricket Club, Derwenthaugh Park, Hexham Rd, Swalwell, Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 6JA 0191 414 8703. Mon - Fri 5.30pm until late. Weekends. 12 noon until late.
Church of the Holy Saviour -2 Broadway, Tynemouth, North Shields NE30 2LS 0191 257 6250.
Artichoke Tynemouth Ltd 13 Percy Park Rd, Tynemouth, North Shields NE30 4LZ 0191 270 8569
Fezziwigs, 9 Percy Park Road, Tynemouth, North Shields, NE30 4LZ. 0191 340 7578.
Liz said: "I'm still blown away by everyone's generosity. It's women coming together to help each other. There's loads of women who are so grateful."
In August last year, Grace's family was given a Point of Light Award for the 'Love Grace' campaign. It was given to them by the British prime minister, who was then Boris Johnson.
Earlier this month, Gillian climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of both her daughter and her husband David, Grace's father, who died from cancer in 2020.
Gillian reached the peak of the mountain in Tanzania with her sister-in-law and brother-in-law. The family has raised more than £30,000 for St Luke's Hospice, White Ribbon and Widowed & Young.
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