Share the Dignity’s It’s in the Bag campaign ran in late November and early December to benefit women in need.

Bags came in all shapes, sizes and colours, while donated goods included sanitary items, toiletries, jewellery and accessories.

Volunteers Bridget Hustwaite, who helped bring the campaign to Ballarat, said the response had been far greater than she ever imagined.

“I was initially hoping that maybe 50 bags would be a nice contribution but to reach nearly 1000 is quite overwhelming and is such an incredible testament to the generosity of the Ballarat community,” she said. 

Ms Hustwaite said one woman travelled for three hours to drop off 15 bags in Ballarat. 

The bags have since been distributed to local charities.