A group of young women yesterday donated $1,000 to alleged elder abuse victim "Auntie Em" — and now they want others to dig deep in their pockets for the 95-year-old great grandmother.

The Phenomenal Women Association — a recently-formed group of 11 professional females — decided to donate half the proceeds of a recent fundraising tea party to the near-blind widow after The Royal Gazette exposed her horrifying situation a week ago. The other $1,000 has been given to the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors' Residence in Devonshire.

The association, founded by HOTT 1075 DJ Miss Thang (aka Kristy Burgess), has also set up a Bank of Bermuda account for Auntie Em and is encouraging big businesses and individuals to give what they can.

Auntie Em is on a general ward at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but is desperate to return to her own home. Her caregiver Yvonne Dawson and her nephew are hoping to get her adopted daughter — who is accused of mentally abusing and physically neglecting the senior — evicted from the property.

Environmental health officials declared it unfit for human habitation last November and the daughter was ordered to clean it up.

Auntie Em was rescued from the premises at the end of last year by Ms Dawson, who cared for her in her own home for five months.

Penny Ingram, the Phenomenal Women Association's public relations officer, said: "It really hit home to all of us. My mom was a geriatric nurse so I'm fully aware of the cases that are out there. I'm just surprised that her story took so long to be heard. What we want is the Government to see that charities are pulling together to do this. They should quadruple our efforts."

She added: "My dream for Auntie Em is that funds come pouring in and construction companies or even better Bermuda Housing (Corporation) comes forward and renovates her house for free."

Ms Burgess visited Auntie Em this week and interviewed Ms Dawson on her radio show. She said: "When I read the article on Friday, I couldn't understand how someone could treat an elderly person like this. She needs to get back in her home and she's going to need a caregiver."

Ms Burgess said she was angry that charges had not been brought against the daughter. "This woman should not be walking around in Bermuda and working in a reputable company. This would not happen in any other jurisdiction. Why is it happening here?

"The daughter needs not to be allowed to visit her. I called a lawyer and we are working on a restraining order."

Police have so far given no comment to this newspaper on the case but it is understood that charges were not brought against the daughter or her husband because Auntie Em did not wish to give evidence.

Auntie Em's nephew described the $1,000 donation as "excellent".

"As women they can identify with her," he said. "The money will go straight into Auntie Em's bank account.

"I'm pleased with it and I'm very pleased that as a result of the story other families have come forward." Government reported on Wednesday that six fresh cases of suspected abuse have been reported in the wake of Auntie Em's story.

The nephew said lawyers were working on getting the daughter out of the dilapidated, roach and rodent-infested property.

Auntie Em's late husband left the house to his wife with it to pass to the daughter upon her death.

"My plan is to have the family that is there now out legally," he said. "When she's out I can then get people in, like a contractor, to assess it, see what's necessary and how quickly it can be done. When she goes in, I want her to feel like she's in a palace."

Helping to pay for Auntie Em's care has crippled her nephew financially. Ms Dawson is still out of pocket for the care she has given.