Sandra Walker (middle) with local Share the Dignity Echuca volunteers. Photo: Supplied
An Echuca resident has gone above and beyond this festive season, donating essential items and toys to support women and children in need.
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In 2024, Sandra Walker became aware of Share the Dignity’s major campaign, ‘It’s in the Bag’, and made it her mission this year to help support the cause.
Through the campaign, community members are asked to fill bags with goods and necessities that women and girls may need.
Items can include period products, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap or body wash.
This year, Ms Walker assembled about 30 boxes of donations for the campaign.
Ms Walker said her own experiences motivated her to support other women facing tough situations.
“I've been in that situation where things have been really tough for me, especially when my kids were little, but they're all grown up now, and I'm in a better position myself, so what goes around comes around,” she said.
A long-time active member of the community, Ms Walker has helped others both individually and through her involvement with the Order of the Eastern Star.
Sandra Walker with Echuca Regional Health volunteer co-ordinator Lisa Ellerton. Photo: Supplied
Ms Walker also donated about seven boxes of toys to Echuca Regional Health for children spending Christmas in the hospital.
Having been born and raised in Bendigo, she made an additional donation of toys to Bendigo Health, a gesture that was met with gratitude and emotion from nursing staff.
Ms Walker encouraged everyone to give what they could to those in need during the festive season.
“If you can just think outside the circle, get one thing for someone else, it makes a difference,” she said.
“Even one thing, just to make a difference in someone else’s life, you can put a smile on their face. That's the whole idea of it, even if it’s just one thing.”
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