WINCHESTER women have given a vital city service a cash boost.

The city's Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (RASAC) were given a cheque for £1,122 by fundraising trio 3Women on Tuesday morning (May 7).

The group was formed earlier this year by city businesswomen Liz Trevor, Fiona Whitehouse and Michelle Beck and the money raised at their inaugural event at the Wykeham Arms in February, with half supplied from Barclays Bank through match funding.

It was called 'The Shoebox Event' where women were encouraged to donate pairs of shoes they no longer needed while wearing their favourite heels on the night.

Ms Trevor said: “Our aim is to encourage local women leaders from all sectors to network together in a relaxed environment. Our events will encourage dialogue and engagement, but will always have a fun twist.”

Ms Beck added: “We are thrilled that we have been able to raise such a substantial amount for our chosen charity. The work that RASAC does is vital, and our match-funding partnership with Barclay's has enabled us to double the amount raised.”

RASAC was established in 1995 to provide free, confidential helplines and one-to-one counselling for women and men over 18 who have been sexually abused and/or raped at any time in their lives.

Helplines are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm-9.30pm on 01962 871717 or 01962 871718.