With the help of family, friends and the local community, Shirley Edwards has donated more than 440 bags full of essential basic items to the Share the Dignity's 'It's In The Bag' Christmas appeal.

They will be distributed to local organisations including Southern Cross Housing, Southern Domestic Violence Services and Shoalhaven Women's Health Centre, to be given to women and girls experiencing homelessness, sleeping rough, or seeking refuge in domestic violence shelters.

Shirley Edwards has been collecting handbags, essential toiletries, and gift items to donate to the charity's appeal for six years.

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While her house has become the base for all donations, and she herself is responsible for quality control, Shirley said it's a team effort.

"This year it'll be 447 bags," she said. "This includes girls bags and nappy bags as well."

"The numbers depend on the amount of people who support us. I had neighbours, family members and the community coming forward.

"I might pull it all together but it wouldn't happen without the support of others."

Every February, Shirley starts gathering the donations and said her husband is one of her biggest supporters for "putting up with the house looking like a clearing shed".

Neighbours bring donations over all throughout the year and Shirley said it's "every bit that counts".

"I think people get involved because everyone knows someone who has walked that journey of domestic violence or homelessness," said Shirley.

"So that triggers people to to think what can I do to help?

"Even one tube of toothpaste helps at least one person clean their teeth."

Shirley said she was "speechless" after finding out a Dignity Vending Machine at Westmead Hospital, which dispenses free packs containing menstrual products, was named after her earlier in the year.

"I don't think anything I do is out of the ordinary," she said.

"I've never had anything named after me before, I am really humbled."

Share the Dignity will be accepting donations for their Christmas appeal at Bunnings in South Nowra between November 19 to November 28.

Basic essentials - including pads and/or tampons, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and soap - as well as little luxuries such as hair accessories or a handwritten note can be donated.

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