Life-saver helps victims with winter charity ball

8:00am Monday 1st December 2008

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A WESTBURY woman who saved the life of a rape victim has organised a ball in aid of the charity Victim Support.

Laura Lee, 33, who runs Beauty Boutique in Maristow Street, has organised the Winter Wonderland ball with help from Clare Barker, 33, who runs Best Laid Plans in Market Street, Bradford on Avon.

In November last year Mrs Lee was honoured after she saved the life of a woman she found naked and covered in blood by the roadside, by dragging her into a car and rushing her to the nearest police station.

The horrifying incident took place in August 2006, when Mrs Lee and her sister were driving to visit their parents. As they made their way along a country road near Aldershot in Hampshire they spotted the woman by the side of the road.

She had been attacked while walking her dog and had been slashed in the throat with a hunting knife after being raped. Without emergency surgery she would have died.

Mrs Lee and her sister Aimee Whipps have since been awarded an OCU Commander's Commendation from Hampshire Police. for the act. Now Mrs Lee is continuing to help victims of crime by organising the ball, the second she has been involved in after raising £5,500 in February 2007, also for Victim Support.

This year’s event, which will include a casino, silent auction, magician and live music, will also raise money for Dorothy House Hospice Care.

Mrs Lee, of Meadow Close, said: “Victim Support does a lot of work with victims and their families but it’s not a charity that is well-known because no one wants to talk about being a victim of crime.”

Mrs Lee keeps in contact with the rape victim, who is still coming to terms with the appalling attack.

She said: “The ball gives me something positive to focus on. The money will help fund the crisis line and train volunteers.”

The ball is being held at the Civic Hall in Trowbridge on December 12. Send an email message to mail@winterwonderland.org.uk for tickets, which cost £15.