Women's Fund for Scotland

They were dazzled. They were enthralled. They were there! For a once in a lifetime night of sheer rapture over 130 guests cleared their diaries for Handbag Heaven 2010. This unique evening encompassed an exclusive Harvey Nichols fashion show, but with a difference. Bubbly and divine cup cakes delighted the taste buds, while eyes feasted on the dazzling array of designer handbags donated by the biggest celebrity names, slung over the arms of the most beautiful models. Guests were prepared to aim high at the auction that followed.

Paradise wasn’t confined to the celebrity handbags on offer. There was also the brown paper bag raffle. Its plain exterior hid treats that sent guests to seventh heaven.

Here’s what the Handbag Heaven 2010 auction winners had to say about the event…

Julie Hutchison – winner of Sophie Dahl bag

The Women’s Fund for Scotland offers me the chance to support grassroots initiatives in my own area in Scotland, where there is an emphasis on projects which promote self-sufficiency: these projects are tangible, and from small initiatives come bigger changes.

Fiona O’Brien – winner of the Orla Kiely and Sienna Miller bags

It was great to support Women’s Fund for Scotland and to have fun at the same time. I bought the bags with my own girls in mind, they can have them in the future but only once I’ve finished with them! So it was very pleasing to think of our donation going to help other women and girls and their situations in some small way.

Emma Bell – winner of Kirsty Young bag

I think Women’s fund is a great charity doing meaningful work and I believe that it’s important for those women who are able currently to share some of their success, to do so in order to support others who really need and appreciate that love and support in their lives to help overcome whatever challenges they are currently facing. It’s important we share the love and good fortune around!

Jackie Cameron – winner of signed Kylie Minogue bag

I met some of the women who had benefitted from support from the Women’s Fund for Scotland and was impressed by the creativity, commitment and enthusiasm they had for their projects which is why I am delighted to be a supporter of the Women’s Fund for Scotland.

Justine Mitchell – winner of Annie Lennox bag

‘As soon as I saw the bag I knew it was something which would become a real talking point and perfect to be on display in our reception area. Annie Lennox is an iconic Scottish celebrity with her own style. I was thrilled when I won the bid for Chamomile Sanctuary, her bag fits perfectly into our spa, come and see!’

Louise Scott – winner of Ted Baker bag

It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to attend and support the Handbag Heaven 2010 fundraising event and help raise funds for the Women’s Fund for Scotland. The Women’s Fund for Scotland is providing a valuable support to charities and community groups that are supporting disadvantaged women and girls. Their work in this area is commendable and makes all the difference. As a lucky winner of a ‘Raffle bag’ I am now enjoying showing off my beautiful Ted Baker bag – a luxurious contrast from the hiking boots and rucksack that I can be found wearing most weekends!

Kasey McCall Smith – winner of small raffle bag

I support the Women’s Fund because it makes sense. Who better knows how small amounts of help can make such a huge impact in the lives of women than a fellow woman? The Women’s Fund has big ideas and big heart and it is good to know that every small amount of help goes a long way in making a difference to women in Scotland.

Handbag Heaven is a brilliant concept. Competing with friends and colleagues for items we all love is great sport and for such an amazing cause…it’s like the female equivalent of the World Cup but an event that has a true and tangible impact on women in Scotland that cannot be measured by a scoreboard.

Joan Cradden – winner of Kate Moss for Longchamp and Zoe Saldana bags

I was very taken by the range of projects supported by the fund – they appealed to a long standing interest and political perspective. I also feel that organisations that coordinate projects in this way are part of the future for voluntary sector fundraising. The handbags were an added bonus!

Helen Phillips – winner of DKNY bag

Supporting the Women’s fund is very attractive as it works with a number of organisations that address the myriad of issues that face modern females from stress related behaviour through to shelter. As a sponsor it is
reassuring to know that the projects that are chosen are monitored and guided by a professional halo group and ensure that donated monies reach their intended destinations and do not get absorbed into ‘admin’ or other secondary uses.