Soon after the hammer fell for the final time on its February online auction, Bond Wolfe donated £2,000 to Anawim - Birmingham’s Centre for Women.
Lily Gartland, senior Auction Co-ordinator at Bond Wolfe, said: “Anawim helps women in and around Birmingham to change their life – one step at a time.
“Their mission is to provide trauma responsive services including holistic support and advocacy in Birmingham to empower women to reach their potential. We decided to support Anawim in our February auction as it is the closest auction to International Women’s Day.”
Anawim is based at their Balsall Heath Centre at 228 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, in Birmingham, and began life as a charity in 1986.
Joy Doal, chief executive officer of the organisation, explained: “Anawim’s mission is to help women from all backgrounds and communities in and around Birmingham to get the support they deserve.”
Anawim was founded by two pioneering nuns, Sister Magdalene Matthews and Sister Maisie Nevin, who moved into a red-light district in Balsall Heath – at the time described as “Britain’s busiest cul-de-sac”.
The nuns decided to open their home as a drop-in centre to women in the local community who were involved in sex work and potentially vulnerable to exploitation.
Joy Doal added: “The Sisters were struck by the difference it made for women to have a safe space, a warm drink and a listening ear.
“We are delighted that Bond Wolfe has decided to support us and very grateful to be the recipient of their first targeted donation from their highly successful auctions.”
Lily Gartland added: “We have always set aside a donation from each auction of the seven we hold annually but in the past the proceeds have been donated to one chosen charity for the entire year, this year we will be supporting various causes throughout 2025.
“The Bond Wolfe Charitable Trust has supported over 550 charities across the region since it was set up and we are very proud of the support it gives to so many deserving causes.”