2025 - 365 days in which around 100 women were killed by men, often after years of abuse. I am running in their memory and to raise awareness of the number of women who lose their life to this awful crime.

As the Chair of Refuge’s Board of Trustees, I will be joining the London Marathon 2026 Refuge Team.

Just one year off 60, a cancer and trauma survivor, I’m not a massive runner – it’s my first ever marathon and the only other thing I’ve done is a half a couple of years ago where I swore there wasn’t a marathon in me!

On marathon day, I will be running in memory of all women who were killed as a result of abuse last year. I will be wearing a printed cape bearing a butterfly for each life lost. I will also be running for other women whose killing has touched me including Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, Claire Marshall, Joanne Tulip, Gemma Lynne-Marjoram, and of course, my dear friend Jo Simpson, whose brutal killing lies behind all my work at Refuge and beyond.Not a day goes by when I don’t remember Jo and how incredible she was as a friend, daughter, and mother. Not a day goes by when I am not horrified, appalled, and devastated that her life was cut short by male violence. Beyond that, I and Jo’s family have had to continue to fight to make sure that her murderer remains locked up behind bars.

The system has and continues to fail survivors and their families, and I am determined to see this change. That’s why I am so driven to end violence against women and see a world free from domestic abuse, where women and their children can live safe, confident, and happy lives.

Refuge is the UK's largest domestic abuse service, and also runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline. And yet, day in day out we see the impact of the woeful shortfalls in funding which means victims and their children take too long to get the help they need. Every penny you donate will genuinely be life saving. For todays victims and survivors, and tomorrow’s victims, we desperately need your help through donations and raising awareness. I hope my efforts in the lead up to April will inspire you to help.

 By kindly sponsoring me today you are helping to save and change the lives of thousands of women and their children. Thank you.