BEXLEY Women's Aid is celebrating this year.

The organisation, which supports and shelters women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, marks its 25th birthday this year.

The group has been raising awareness of domestic violence but last weekend it held its silver jubilee ball.

The group played host to a variety of guests at the Crayford Town Hall including Bexley's Mayor Councillor Aileen Beckwith and her husband and escort Brian; Bexleyheath and Crayford MP Nigel Beard and his wife Jenny, and representatives from Bexley Council's housing and social services departments; Bexley Churches Housing Association; Bexley College and voluntary groups including MIND and Bexley Voluntary Service Council.

The evening included a charity auction, with high-profile guests acting as auctioneers, and a raffle drawn by Mr Beard. The event raised more than £2,000 for the group. Other activities in the past year included selling 2,500 campaign ribbons and taking thousands of pledges of support. It has also run workshops for more than 1,000 young people and a drama workshop, challenging young people's attitudes to domestic violence. Money raised will go to improving services for women and children in its refuge, and the community.

This year it will launch a campaign on the effect on the health of families who live in violent situations.

July 6, 2001 15:27