Hello there

My name is Lucie, aka Lucie Loves, and this October, I'm lacing up my boots to walk 62 miles (that's nearly 100 km!) to raise £620 for Refuge, the UK's largest domestic abuse charity. Many of you who get to this page will probably already know me - or a little about me - but for those of you I've never met - it's nice to meet you!

** Across England and Wales, 1 in 4 women will experience abuse in their lifetime and on average, one woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex every five days. **

For the next 31 days in October, I’ll be committing to racking up a minimum of 2 miles a day, every day. For me, it's a personal challenge to raise awareness and vital funds for a cause that is incredibly important to me: Women's safety. But I'm doing it because I want those who are experiencing domestic abuse to know they are not alone - and help is available.

Why this matters to me (and should matter to all of us):

Home should be a place of safety and comfort. A sanctuary, not walking on egg shells, wondering what mercurial mood you'll return home to.

Unfortunately, for too many women and children, it is the opposite a safe haven. This cause is particularly personal to me, as someone who has experienced domestic abuse and is all too aware of the lasting damage and generational trauma it can result in and what it takes to break the pattern.

I understand the profound courage it takes to leave a situation you feel unable to break free from, and the crucial difference that specialist support can make for many in that journey.

Each of the 62 miles I am walking this month are an opportunity to reflect on the journey that many women and children will face, trying to find safety and start over—it is about taking a step every day towards a better future. I’m walking for the women who are planning their escape, for the children taking their first steps in a safe place, and for the life-saving services and people that make independence and recovery possible.

Q. Will you sponsor my 62 miles and help me reach my £620 target?

I want to use my voice and platform to drive positive change and ensure that other women have the support they need to feel safe and rebuild their own lives. No one should face abuse alone, and Refuge makes sure they don't.

Every pound raised helps Refuge provide essential services, from the Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline to emergency refuge accommodation: 0808 2000 247

About Refuge

Refuge is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK.

On any given day, Refuge's services support thousands of survivors, helping them overcome the physical, emotional, financial, and logistical impacts of abuse.

Your donation has a direct impact:

- £15 could go towards essentials for a woman's first night at a refuge.

- £45 could buy a cot, mattress, and protector for a baby in a refuge.

- £75 could go towards providing emotional and practical support to enable women to rebuild their lives after escaping abuse.

What forms can domestic abuse take?

A common myth is that it’s only domestic abuse if it involves physical or sexual violence. In fact, many women experience domestic abuse without ever being physically harmed. Remember: non-physical forms of abuse can be as destructive and as undermining as physical violence.

Domestic abuse could involve…

- Emotional abuse, including gaslighting

- Coercive control

- Physical abuse

- Tech abuse

- Economic abuse

- Sexual abuse

Learn more at: https://refuge.org.uk/what-is-domestic-abuse/

Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline to emergency refuge accommodation: 0808 2000 247