A celebration of womanhood will take place in South Tyneside to raise money for rape victims
Primrose Community Centre, in Jarrow, is hosting a festival for women in aid of the Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre (TRCC).
The idea stemmed from a group of centre users volunteering to take part in a sponsored abseil, organised by the charity, on International Women’s Day.
Dawn Bowman, development officer at Newcastle-based TRCC, said: “A lot of Primrose members said they would like to take part and raise money for us. Through discussions with members and workers here, it became apparent that a festival for International Women’s Day at Primrose would be fantastic for the community, and would be something the centre would want to engage in.”
The festival will be opened on February 28 by girl band Irresistible, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, and will run until March 14.
The launch event will celebrate women’s achievements, and organisers are hoping to have a number of inspirational speakers.
An Abba night, already sold out, will close the event and reward the abseilers, who are due to drop from the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle, on March 8.
Other events include a ‘serenity day’ on March 8, exhibitions, health checks and a trip to see the Vagina Monologues at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre.
There will also be tips to beat the credit crunch, with advice from welfare rights, Citizens Advice, credit unions, UCanB, Business Matters and South Tyneside Homes.
Ms Bowman said: “It is a fantastic festival that has been organised by a steering group but coming very much from Primrose. TRCC is really grateful for the funds that are going to be raised through the event.
“This is actually about local women from South Tyneside and about raising their awareness and inspiring them as well.”
For more details about the programme of events, contact the centre on 424 9977.
Visit http://www.tynesidercc.org.uk for more information about TRCC.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Festival39s-a-feminine-issue.4937112.jp
