It's a new year and I needed a new challenge! On May 25 I'll be putting on my walking shoes and taking part in a 100k charity walk from London to Brighton to raise money for Bristol charity One25.

I have decided this year to do something to actively help causes that in the past I may have just thought a lot about. I want to raise money for One25 - a Bristol based charity who offer support and respite for street workers. One25 reach out to women trapped in street sex work, supporting them to build new lives away from violence, poverty and addiction.

I believe that One25 really make a difference to the lives of those who really need it; to those who cannot engage with other services and yet need a helpful hand most. The kinds of things this money will go towards are sometimes very simple: a hot meal, a place to take a shower, a person to talk to. In the longer term, One25 also offer sustained support and opportunities to develop skills and self worth.

I've decided to do the London to Brighton challenge for One25 because I want to raise awareness for the work they do, and walking 100k seemed a bonkers enough way to catch your attention. Your support will be gratefully received. It doesn't stop here, this is just the start of many things in the long line of helping women in Bristol and beyond to build fulfilled and happy lives, free from violence and deprivation.

Love and thanks for reading!

Liv

 

Of those 180 women still working on the streets...

• 99% are addicted to one or more Class A drugs and/or alcohol: average age of first use was 13 years old
• All suffer from chronic ill health and half suffer from acute ill health (requiring immediate medical attention)
• 80% are homeless
• 92% suffer from malnutrition
• Women in street prostitution are 12 times more likely to be murdered than the normal rate for all women in the same age group in the UK

Of all the women we support...

• 62% have reported childhood abuse
• 38% have been through fostering or children’s homes
• 32% left school at 14 or younger and only 41% have any qualifications

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.