Domestic abuse is still widely misunderstood and too often mishandled. But change starts with conversation, and you can be the catalyst.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, you can help to raise funds to keep Refuge’s services running AND vital awareness about the prevalence of domestic abuse by getting people talking.

You’re welcome to organise an event in the style of your choice such as: a coffee morning, a speaker panel/Q&A event, a feminist book club or similar.

The event is completely flexible. You can select a day that suits you, be that on International Women's Day (8th March) or another date in March.

By giving back, you can help women and their children gain their freedom and start rebuilding their lives, free from fear and abuse:

- Raising £45 could buy a welcome pack for a woman moving into a refuge: includes a mixture of items such as toiletries, pyjamas, essential kitchenware, bedding, food, buddy bags for children, etc

- Raising £100 could pay for emergency hotel accommodation for a night for a survivor

- Raising £275 could cover the costs of running the Helpline for an hour

- Raising £320 could cover the moving costs for a woman who’s ready to leave a refuge and restart her life free from fear and abuse

- Raising £700 could could run a refuge for one day

- Raising £1,500 could buy furniture for a family moving from a refuge into their own home

If you have any questions or require any support with your fundraising, please contact us on: community@refuge.org.uk

If you or somebody you know needs support, please call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Find out more about Refuge's work at www.refuge.org.uk.

Together, we can break the silence and create real change.