What do you do when you are starting out on an exciting new life? Run the London Marathon of course! I am taking on the London Marathon on Sunday 28 April 2019 as part of Team Refuge. I am hoping to raise over £2,000 for women and children against domestic violence. I am running for me, to stand up for something I believe in, and to let women everywhere know that that they can survive anything with the right support. 

Domestic abuse is not just physical. It is a pattern of power and control that devastates lives of women and children in the UK everyday. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and 1 in 5 children are exposed to domestic violence in their home. Domestic violence is rarely a one-off. Incidents generally become more frequent and severe over time. It takes a great deal of courage to leave someone who controls and intimidates you. Women usually attempt to leave several times before making the final break, and it often doesn't end there. Two women are killed each week by a current or former partner in England and Wales.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, no matter where they live or how much money they have. Abused women come from all walks of life. Men who abuse women are as likely to be lawyers, accountants and judges as they are milkmen, cleaners or unemployed.

Refuge provides specialist support to women and children escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence. On any given day Refuge supports more than 6,000 clients, helping them rebuild their lives and overcome many different forms of violence and abuse.

Refuge’s award-winning campaigns aim to raise awareness of domestic violence and prevent it from happening. For too long domestic violence has been allowed to happen behind closed doors. People think what goes on in the home is private, and not their problem. Domestic violence is a crime. It is against the law. We are all affected by domestic violence; we all have a responsibility to speak out against it. Only then will it end.