NEWPORT shooting victim Rachel Williams has raised £700 for Women’s Aid and donated hundreds of pounds worth of gifts to homeless and refuge shelters this Christmas on behalf of the local community.

Mrs Williams, 42, was shot by her estranged husband, Darren, 45, at the Carol Ann Hair Salon at Malpas Road on August 19, 2011. Mr Williams was later found hanging in woods near their Brynglas home.

At an inquest into his death at Gwent Coroner’s Court, Mrs Williams said she suffered years of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and finally broke off the marriage when he tried to strangle her and cut his wrists on July 9, 2011.

She started divorce proceedings before the Malpas Road attack.

After the shooting, Mrs Williams had most of her left leg rebuilt following an eight-hour operation at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital.

Last month, Mrs Williams set up a Facebook page, Don’t Look Back, to support victims of domestic abuse and to act as a platform for donations to Women’s Aid and the homeless.

Already, the page has 1,111 likes and Mrs Williams estimates that 160 families will be helped by the generosity of the local community. Among those to have supported the appeal were Cineworld, Hasbro, Pizza Hut, Nandos, Budget Vets, Frankie and Bennys, and Tesco.

She said: “The house has become a warehouse in the last four or five weeks and it’s been absolutely magical.

"The door has been knocking constantly and it’s only winding down now.

“I’d just like to thank the community and all who were involved. It’s not been because of me; I’ve just been a catalyst."