One in four women will experience abuse at some point in their lifetime.

On average one woman is killed every 5 days in England and Wales by a current or former partner.

Currently rape victims and survivors wait an average of more than two years for their cases to be brought to trial and be completed.

For too many women, access to the right support is a 'postcode lottery' with chronic underfunding a constant challenge.

Refuge is the largest single provider of specialist services to survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based abuse and runs the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline that provides the first step to women escaping abuse. 

In my home borough of Lambeth, Refuge funds the Gaia Centre https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/family-information-directory/9568-gaia-centre) a sadly much needed service, facilitated by my incredible colleagues. The centre provides confidential, non-judgmental domestic mental support to those living, working or studying in our community who are experiencing all forms of gender-based violence.

I will be running the London Marathon in late April 2025 to raise awareness and vital funds to support women and their families in Lambeth, London and beyond to keep safe and rebuild their lives.

For so many of you reading this, you have already,(perhaps unwittingly,) done so much to support a survivor. But i'm hoping on this occasion, you will dig that bit deeper, and by kindly sponsoring me today, help save and change the lives of thousands of women and their families.

Thank you in advance for all your amazing support

Alison xx