I am a proud trustee of Haven, one of a small number of charities in the UK that supports children and young people impacted by domestic abuse.

Their work is vital.

Domestic violence will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. And on average, two women are murdered every week as a result of DV.

It accounts for 16% of all violent crime (Source: Crime in England and Wales 04/05 report), however it is still the violent crime least likely to be reported to the police.

DV has more repeat victims than any other crime (on average there will have been 35 assaults before a victim calls the police) and it is the single most quoted reason for becoming homeless (Shelter, 2002).

The current definition of domestic abuse applies to those aged 16 or over. The prevailing view of children and young people is that they are 'witnesses’ or 'bystanders’ to domestic abuse. Help from elsewhere - where it exists - is directed through the victim.

Domestic abuse is well documented as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) that can have catastrophic effects on the emotional, behavioural, social and educational development of children and young people. The impact of such experiences are felt throughout the life course, with evidence of generational patterns of harm and poor outcomes.

There are many barriers for any victim of domestic abuse but none more so than children. Children have no legal rights and no financial backing.

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To raise money for Haven to deliver needs-led, trauma informed work with children, I am going to run 56km on my own along the Gritstone Trail.

It will be my first ever ultra, and I will my navigating and fuelling the route solo, ending in my home village of Disley.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.