I'm raising money for this charity because of something that happened to me last year.  

A long story short, just after my birthday last year I went out on a date with a guy I met in a pub a few weeks before. We had a nice date, and he walked me home. Unfortunately some time into the night he raped me. After speaking to my therapist and then to friends, I came to terms with the fact what happened was rape and that it was wrong, and not my fault. I'm lucky to have a strong support network of friends and family who empowered me to report it to the police. 

I spent the best part of a day in a police station recounting the details of my story which in itself was traumatising. But I am one of the fortunate ones who was able to do this.

Since then I have struggled with my mental health more than I ever have in my life, with anxiety and panic attacks becoming a regular occurrence. Myself and my friend Megan have decided to run a 10 k for rape crisis in September hoping to raise money for others who have experienced what we have. I’d like to share my story to help others feel strong enough to share theirs if they'd like to and break the shame and stigma attached to this topic. Too many people go through this alone and feeling the shame and guilt we have and still do feel sometimes. 

Rape Crisis, NIA and other womens' charities supported me through the darkest time in my life and I want to raise money to go back into that system so more women can receive the help they desperately need.