A TEENAGER is spending her first pay packet on supplies for the Women's Refuge.

Emily Wooldridge, from Earls Colne, recently turned 18 and has just secured a job at Kaspas dessert cafe in Braintree.

She left her previous job to start work full time at Kaspas, and with her first pay cheque she is planning to buy supplies for the Women's Refuge in Colchester in time for Christmas.

She said friends and family have already generously donated items.

She said: "I don't normally do things like this, but my mum is donating to the food bank this year so I wanted to do something to help.

"I have recently turned 18 and having money made me realise there must be people out there that need it more than I do.

"I looked into different charities but a lot of them already get a lot of support so I wanted to do something close to home.

"Unfortunately I know way too many people who have come out of domestic violence and recently one of my friends came to Facebook about her experience."

She spoke to people about her ideas and they suggested the refuge.

She added: "I looked into it and they were right, there are so many people under the care of the refuge with nowhere else to go, and that's why I'm doing it.

"I just want to bring a bit of happiness to them this Christmas, something to take there minds off of what's going on and reassure them people care and want to help."

She has set up a Go Fund Me page for cash donations which will be spent on supplies such as nappies and baby wipes.

Visit www.gofundme.com/christmas-for-womens-refuge.

Anyone wanting to donate items can send her a message on Facebook or email emilywooldridge5@gmail.com.

Donations being accepted include disposable nappies, baby wipes, new baby clothes and children's clothes, new women's clothes, unopened toiletries, new bedding, towels and toys.