Victoria Park mother creates Essentials For Women Of Perth Facebook page

The renal nurse, who is taking time out from her career to raise her baby son, recently got chatting to a fellow mum in her mother’s group who works at Ruah Community Services in West Perth.

This chat inspired her to email friends and eventually create a Facebook event to appeal for the items most needed by homeless women in Perth ” sanitary products and new underwear.

She invited 60 friends to take part in the donation event, Essentials for Women of Perth, and within 48 hours more than 67,000 people had been invited.

In the past week a major sanitary company has pledged to donate 100 packs of panty liners ” now no longer needed ” and the campaign also expanded to NSW.

‘I was a bit speechless. But it shows how much people do care and want to help others when asked,’ Mrs Jacoby said.

She had never thought how difficult it would be for women on the poverty line, including many homeless, to afford new underwear let alone sanitary products.

‘I was horrified at the thought of not having sanitary products when I needed them each month. I thought I’d be able to inspire about 100 people to donate undies and sanitary products; I never imagined this.’

Underwear donations are an important part of the campaign, but there is one request ” nice underwear only.

‘I would encourage people wanting to donate to think about the type of underwear they would choose for themselves.’