Story
In April 2026, I am running the London Marathon for a charity that means a lot to me, Refuge.
1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives, and like so many others, I never thought it would be me. But I found myself stuck in an abusive relationship with someone I didn’t know how to leave.
But it wasn’t just me. He had abused partners before me and even after being arrested for attempting to strangle me as I tried to leave, he was not deterred from escalating his abuse with future partners.
Often, the most dangerous time for a woman in an abusive relationship is when she tries to leave. One woman is murdered by a current or ex-partner every five days in England and Wales, and last year I received the most heartbreaking call that I'd hoped I would never get. My abuser had murdered his partner, Olivia Wood.
Over the last year myself, and two other incredible women❤️, supported the police in their investigation and faced our abuser in court. In April, he was found guilty on 15 counts (including coercive control and other forms of abuse) and Olivia's murder. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 35 years, but it doesn’t take away the pain and suffering, or make the healing any easier for Olivia's family, and all of the women that he hurt.
I’m running in memory of Olivia, and for all the strong, beautiful women he abused. For those who lost their lives to domestic abuse, for every survivor finding their strength, and for all the women still living in fear today.
During the court process, I got to know Olivia’s family. They are unbelievably kind, dignified, and strong, and it’s clear how loved Olivia was.
“Olivia was the glue that held us together, a loyal friend, a devoted sister, a cherished daughter. She was a rarity: profoundly selfless, disarmingly witty, a timeless beauty. Always there to make a cup of tea when someone looked in need, to listen, to help. Now she has been taken from us, and we are left with a chasm in our lives, a love that can never be replaced.”
The work that Refuge does to raise awareness and provide support and safety for those suffering from and fleeing domestic abuse is invaluable. They run the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, offer safe accommodation, emotional and practical support, help survivors rebuild their lives, and campaign for change. Donations can help answer a call for help, provide essentials for a child in a refuge, support women through the criminal justice system, and fund services that offer safety, hope, and a future free from abuse.
If you’re able to support in any way by donating, sharing, or even just reading this, thank you.
Every small donation can help to save and change the lives of thousands of women and their children.❤️