A KIND-hearted girl gave the perfect present to a local women's refuge.

The Friends of the Dorset Women’s Refuge received a generous cheque of £400 from Dot Forrester, a 13-year-old who decided to donate the proceeds of the sales of her Christmas cards to the organisation.

Her design of an Inuit girl with a heart was so popular that she sold all of the cards that Creeds Printers had printed for her. Dot brought them to sell at the evening for the refuge at the Arts Centre in November and raised £210, but since then has raised a further £190. She sold cards at Symondsbury Christmas Market from Miranda Berrow's Ceramics Studio and, during the Christmas rush, Piers and Steff Garner of Bridport Music in South Street also had them on sale. Dot said: “For the past three years I’ve been raising money for local charities I feel passionate about by selling Christmas cards that I have designed. It’s so important that we support this refuge so we can offer help to victims of domestic abuse.”

Recently the refuge was offered free tickets to see Paddington 2 by the Electric Palace, and really enjoyed the film and the outing. Katie Bielic, manager of You First -which manages the refuge - said: “This heart-warming story was a real treat for the children, and their mothers” she added with a smile “and they so appreciated an opportunity to escape from their unfamiliar surroundings.”

If you believe you, or you know someone, may be experiencing any abuse contact You First on 0800 032 5204 for advice and support. If you are in immediate danger call police on 999.

n The Friends of the West Dorset Women’s Refuge has recently been asked by You First to help women who are leaving the refuge by giving them equipment for their kitchens. They need pots and pans, kitchen utensils, crockery and cutlery and other household items. Items like these can be left at the Bridport Youth and Community Centre on Gundry Lane during the mornings.

For more information, email Friendsofwestdorsetrefuge@gmail.com.