A NEW charity to help improve the self-esteem of women in Cheshire’s has been launched.

After years spent working with women and seeing a need for self-care that wasn’t met, former fashion buyer-turned-counsellor Rachel O’Harea and make-up artist Lynette Page-Collin have teamed up to create Elle for Elle.

The not-for-profit organisation has launched a campaign Dignity After Distress which collects unused ladies body care, hair care and cosmetic items and donates them to women who’ve become homeless from escaping domestic abuse.

For Lynette and Rachel, the aim is to create a sense of self-care and self-esteem for women in crisis, helping them to readjust their mindset for a more positive outlook.

Mum-of-three Lynette, from Tarporley, said: “We don’t just want to fill that gap in their make-up bags, we want to give women a sense of integrity and of pride back.

“Many of these women have been through the worst atrocities you can ever imagine – some because of religious constraint or sexual violence and so many, bodily harm. We know that making them feel confident again may just be a small step, but it is indeed a step that we can encourage them to make.”

The friends have already visited 21 refugees throughout Cheshire, Manchester and Liverpool to deliver donated items and they’ve got the backing of fashion label BooHoo and several businesses from throughout the region.

Rachel, also a mum-of-three who lives in Mere, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of support we’ve had already but we have high hopes for Elle for Elle. The ultimate aim is to take this nationwide to all 305 refuges and help the tens of thousands of homeless women and children in the UK.”

Drop-offs are already in place around Cheshire including Soul Hair in Tarporley, Toni and Guy in Knutsford and Mr Sims Sweet Shop, Knutsford.

To support the Dignity After Distress campaign, donate funds or create a fundraising event contact elleforelleuk@gmail.com