On Sunday, I will be taking part in the heroes 10k run for charity (it might just be 5k since i've been suffering with shin spints, but 10k sounds more impressive).  I'm not sure which superhero i'll be running as, although spiderman is currently my 1st choice, suggestions welcome.

If you could spare a fiver to sponsor me, I would be very grateful!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Refuge gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Every day Refuge witnesses the results of these harrowing statistics: the black eyes, broken bones and bruises, the shattered confidence and self-esteem.  We work with women who experience constant intimidation or criticism.  We see women and children whose lives are terrorised by violence.  Until they heard about Refuge, many of them felt they had no-one to turn to and nowhere to go.

Every day Refuge supports over 1,500 women and children in its refuges and community outreach schemes across the country.  Founded in 1971, we have grown from a small charity, operating the world’s very first refuge in Chiswick, West London, to become the country’s largest single provider of emergency accommodation and specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.  We are committed to a world in which domestic violence is not tolerated or ignored.

Our objectives fall into three broad areas:

Provision: We provide high quality services to women and children – from refuges, to culturally diverse community-based schemes to keep women and children safe, to emotional support through counselling.

Prevention: We aim to prevent domestic violence through campaigning, education, training and research.  This work means that we can reach out to more women, whilst addressing the negative attitudes surrounding domestic violence.  In addition, we work in partnership with other agencies to raise awareness of domestic violence, its causes and the solutions.

Protection: We lobby the government to ensure that domestic violence remains high on the political agenda, and we encourage other agencies to develop best practice services to meet the needs of women and children experiencing domestic violence.