This year, I'm running the Brighton Trail Marathon and the Hackney Half for Furnishing Futures.

TLDR:

Everyone reading this probably has a space they call home - a place they want to spend time in where they feel safe. Furnishing Futures takes empty properties for domestic abuse survivors and transforms them into real homes – not just four walls, but spaces where families can feel secure, heal from trauma, and begin their journey towards a brighter future.

What They Do

Furnishing Futures was started by Emily Wheeler, who worked as both a social worker and interior designer. She saw first-hand how women fleeing abuse were being placed in completely empty flats – and decided to do something about it.

Now, the charity transforms these empty properties into proper homes, providing everything families need to start fresh – beds, sofas, kitchen essentials, kids' furniture, the lot. It's all thoughtfully put together to create spaces where families can actually feel safe and start to heal.

Why It Matters

Many women who finally escape abusive relationships end up in cold, empty flats with literally nothing. No bed for their kids to sleep on. No oven to cook dinner. Just bare walls.

It's unlivable and as a result, survivors in some cases end up going back to their abusers simply because they've got nowhere else to go.

Furnishing Futures steps in to fix this.

To give you an idea of what your donation could help provide:

£50 – Bundle of Love: a wellbeing kit for a woman beginning again

£100 – Baby & Children’s Bundle: nappies, toiletries, warm blankets

£150 – Kitchen Essentials Bundle: kettle, toaster, microwave and more

£300 – Full Home Bundle: essential items to set up a safe, functional home

Why I'm Running

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. I'm backing Furnishing Futures' work to make sure that women and children leaving abuse can rebuild their lives in comfort and with dignity. Every donation helps furnish another home and gives families the solid foundation they need for a better future.

If you’re a UK taxpayer, you can add Gift Aid to boost your donation at no extra cost.

Please support my run.