With the ongoing lockdown and the impact it has had on all of our lives, I am running at least a mile everyday from February 1st until December 31st (334 days in total), raising funds for a different charity each month, in the hopes of bringing everyone together in a time when we physically can't. 

With that said, for March, I am encouraging donations for 'The Dash Charity' who help create change for people experiencing abuse. Their specialist services and support for adults and children range from issues of mental health, immigration, trafficking, homelessness and modern slavery. Dash also empowers victims to move beyond their experiences by giving them the access to free legal help, aiding them to gather and provide evidence in court and being there day-to-day when needed. In doing so, helping individuals move beyond their experiences and to hopefully live a better life without fear, restriction and injustice. 

Especially during the pandemic situation at the moment, people are now in circumstances where they feel like they have no opportunity to escape the cycle of abuse they’re experiencing. It is estimated that every year:

• 2,000,000 people in the UK suffer from some form of domestic abuse
• ~1,300,000 are female victims (8.2% of the population)
• ~600,000 are male victims (4% of the population)
• 100,000+ people in the UK are at high and imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse
• 7 women per month are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales
• 62% of children living with domestic are directly harmed by the perpetrator of the abuse, in addition to the harm caused by witnessing the abuse of others.
[Stats taken from their website].

These statistics shocked me and I feel like they are way too high for living in 2021; no one should be made to feel trapped and like they cannot live up to to their own fulfilment and potential. Please give what you can to ensure The Dash Charity can continue their amazing work - here is how your money can make a difference: 

• As little as £13 can fund a call to The Dash helpline (number below) - this is so important as it is the key first step to ensure the process can being for victims to eventually reach freedom and safety

• £45 could go towards throwing a birthday party for a child in a refuge/safety house, making them feel special as they often haven't previously been allowed to celebrate their birthday

• An incredible £250 could pay for one victim to be in refuge for a whole week to avoid being on the streets, as well as being given the support they need to get back on their feet. 

No matter whether you can afford to fund the phone call or the refuge, any donation amount can contribute to limit the domestic abuse and the number of victims who are involved, one by one. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and thank you in advance for any donations! 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact the following:

• Dash on their own helpline on 01753 549865 (open Monday-Wednesday, 9:30am until 2:30 and Thursday-Friday, 9:30am until 4pm) as well as using an online form for circumstances where the victim is unable to use their phone

• The National Domestic Abuse Violence Helpine on 0808 2000247 for 24 hour advice

• If you need emergency help and you feel in immediate danger, please call 999 or you can speak to the police for non-emergency assistance on 101

• For refuge space, call 0333 344 5371.

Message from Dash: 

Our dedicated, caring team specialise in supporting victims on their journey, and enable them to become survivors. The team helps individuals protect their rights, improve their safety, and gain a feeling of empowerment. All these elements help our clients build on the powers of resilience and work towards achieving an independent and safe future. We are a small charity passionate about making a difference to those who desperately need our help. Please donate NOW!