One in three women and one in five children experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. It’s something that affects all of us - directly or through people we know.

That’s why Alexej and I are fundraising for Hestia, to help ensure that anyone feeling unsafe can access the support they need.

On Saturday 16 May, we’re taking part in Hestia’s Race 4 Safety. We’ll be dropped at an unknown location with no money, phones, maps or transport, and tasked with competing against 20-30 teams to find our way 10 miles to the (also unknown) finish line - relying purely on our (questionable) sense of direction.

We’re raising money to support Hestia’s services which provide routes to safety and expert support within communities, online and over the phone - such as the Refuge Referral Line and Safe Spaces.

Having worked at Hestia for nearly three years (Naomi), I’ve seen first-hand the difference these services make.

One of our volunteers, Clare, shared her experience:

“In 2020 my partner tried to murder me whilst I was asleep. It was my daughter who saved me. I was stabbed eight times and had no use of my arm for over a year.

I feel so lucky to be alive, and now I get to help other women get out of awful situations before something like that happens to them.

I feel like I’m living for a reason. If my story can help someone else, then something good has to come from it.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any support you’re able to give - it really does make a difference!

Naomi & Alexej.

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