East Auckland’s community-minded Freemasons are enabling Eastern Women’s Refuge to carry out a vital security upgrade.

Howick Lodge No314 recently made a significant contribution to the local organisation, which helps women leaving abusive relationships, providing much-needed support to upgrade the security of its safe house.

Since 1987, Eastern Women’s Refuge has been dedicated to helping women and children in south-east Auckland who are victims of domestic violence.

It provides a wide range of services including assistance with accessing healthcare and counselling, budgeting advice, help with protection orders and legal matters, securing housing, funding for children’s activities, and providing essentials such as food and clothing.

Ana Atkinson, the Refuge’s community engagement lead, says the safe house had been in desperate need of a security overhaul for some time but due to limited funding, other urgent priorities took precedence.

“We’re deeply grateful to the Freemasons for their generous support in making this upgrade possible.

“This enhancement will provide a greater sense of safety for the women and children staying with us.

“We’re thrilled to be one of the recipients of Freemasons’ support and look forward to the possibility of a long-lasting partnership.”

Howick Lodge No314 treasurer and almoner Kerry Otto says the Lodge, along with the Howick and Districts Freemasons Charitable Trust and The Freemasons Charity, provided funding of $3082 to Eastern Women’s Refuge for the work to be carried out.

“As part of our contact with Ana, we were able to put her in contact with the local Bellyful organisation, who are now to supply meals for three nights to affected women in their own home or staying in the safe house.

“We’ve also been in contact with the local ‘I’ve Got Your Backpack’ organisation, who now that they have the contact details for the local Women’s Refuge branch, are going to supply relevant backpacks to those same women and children.”