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The background - Safeline are an amazing charity supporting survivors of sexual abouse, rape and their associated issues. The services they provide are confidential and are offered not only to the survivors themselves, but also family, friends, carers and partners regardless of age, gender, race, political orientation or religion. 

All services are confidential and as well as offering face to face counselling, there is also a dedicated helpline, practical and emotional support of independent sexual violence advisors for anyone taking their case to the police or going to court, support groups, a lending library, services for survivors who are ready to move on from Safeline, including a well being check 6 months after they leave to make sure they are doing OK and a PALs service which includes building techniques to cope, such as anger mangement and self-estemm building. Along with all of this they also offer training and workshops to raise awareness of sexual abuse and train those interested in working with survivors.

My experience as a volunteer with Safeline has been at times difficult but also rewarding and inspiring. I volunteer on the phoneline and try and do 3-4 shifts a month. The calls are always varied. I can speak to new callers who have literally just plucked up the courage to pick up the phone and I am the first person they have confided in, to regular callers who rely on the phoneline as a continual form of support, either to talk about what has happened to them, or just to hear a friendly voice to take their mind off things for a short while. Whilst some of the calls can be difficult to hear the training I recieved from Safeline was outstanding giving me the tools I need to be able to look after myself and help those as best I can at the end of the phone, be it talking someone through a flashback, offering coping stratergies for when they feel alone and afraid, offering practical advice like support in their area and most importantly just listening without judgement.

The phone line is always busy, as soon as I put the phone down it rings again which unfortunately highlights the fact sexual abuse is still very prominent, even more so now with recent events in the news, which is why I want to raise money for this charity. Each person I speak to on the phone, no matter what their story, often inspires me as the strength and courage they show is incredible. Whilst I've heard some distressing stories of what people have survived, I've also been read amazing poetry, had songs sung to me and also laughed about trashy tv, pets and even doorstops, every call is different.

The majority of staff at Safeline are volunteers and they rely on dontations and funding to be able to keep running, and although an amazing cause, competition as always is fierce, so I am keen to raise the profile of this charity and do what I can to raise some money.

In terms of running a marathon, well the most I've ever run before is a half marathon 3.5 years ago. In fact when I got the call from Safeline asking if I wanted to run the London Marathon I was literally on my way to catch a flight to Las Vegas, but as always I love a challenge so pretty much accepted straight away! The marathon is something I have always wanted to do but I've never been successful in the ballot so this is a real privilege for me to run on behalf of Safeline. I have only been given 12 weeks to train for it which is a challenge in itself, and unfortunately training has made an old injury resurface so as well a frequenting the gym, I'm also a regular at the chiropractors! Thankfully I should be fixable and I am 100% confident I will cross the finish line. Anyone who knows me, knows I love writing so I am keeping a blog of my 12 week journey to the marathon starting line, so please sign up and follow me if you want to keep track of my mission. 

http://londonmarathongirl.wordpress.com

To those that donate and offer support you have no idea how much it means to me and I thank you henious amounts!!! This is one epic challenge for me, but nothing compared to the challenges faced by those that use the Safeline services, so thank you!!!!