Charity partner
everywoman and Refuge
Over the years, everywoman has come into contact with a number of women who have started up their own businesses following their escape from abusive relationships. This provided the basis for everywoman forging a partnership with Refuge in 2004 in order to increase awareness of the issue of domestic violence and to raise vital funds for the life-saving services Refuge provides.
It's no exaggeration to describe the work Refuge does as 'life-saving'. It’s a sad fact that each week two women are killed by a current or former partner and thousands of others suffer less visible forms of damaging abuse. Money donated to the charity goes directly to help women and children escape the danger and repair the damage done by domestic violence.
By supporting Refuge everywoman aims to give support to those women who need a fresh start.
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The adidas Women's 5k Challenge The UK's biggest women-only fun run to raise vital money for Refuge, the national domestic violence charity and everywoman's charity partner. The adidas Women’s 5k Challenge took Learn about the different ways you can support Refuge >> A big thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday 7th for the Adidas 5k Challenge in aid of Refuge and a huge thanks to those of you who sponsored us. 25 of us ran, which took the number of women running for Refuge to over 85. |
The day was a tremendous success. We had a great time meeting fellow members and networking whilst raising money for a good cause. And the electric atmosphere seemed to make our legs work that little bit faster!
The money we raise will be put to good use, as Sandra Horley, CEO of Refuge said “If everywoman is able to raise £10,000, it could pay for 400 children to benefit from individual and group therapy, supervised in the safety of a refuge by one of our specialist Child Support Workers”
We have so far raised over £5,115.00 and we have until Friday 17 October to raise the remaining funds, so please help us get to our target of £10,000 – you can continue to collect either by directing people to the everywoman justgiving page www.justgiving.com/everywoman2008 or by sending us cheques (payable to Refuge).
- About Refuge
- How you can help Refuge
Domestic Violence in the UK
- 1 woman in 4 will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime. This means that a a woman you know – a sister, friend, daughter or colleague – could be at real risk of abuse
- 2 women are killed each week by a current or former partner
- On average, a woman is beaten 35 times before calling the police
- Domestic violence costs businesses in the UK over £2.7 billion a year through absenteeism, stress, decreased productivity and employee turnover
- In 90% of domestic violence incidents in a family with children, children are in the same or next room, and in 50% of these cases, children are directly abused
Every day Refuge witnesses the results of these harrowing statistics: the black eyes, broken bones and bruises, the shattered confidence and self-esteem. Every year, Refuge acts as a lifeline to over 80,000 women and children who desperately need support to escape their abusive partners and rebuild their lives.
Founded in 1971, Refuge has grown from a small charity, operating the world’s first safe house in Chiswick, West London, to become the country’s largest single provider of emergency accommodation and specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a serious crime that takes lives and ruins lives, transcending cultural, social and economic barriers. It affects not only individuals but also communities and society as a whole. As a charity, Refuge is reliant on individuals and organizations to help maintain their essential services.
'Finding sufficient funding remains a constant challenge' says Refuge CEO Sandra Horley, OBE. 'The demand for our services is unrelenting and thousands of women remain at risk. It is a sad state of affairs that in the 21st century, we can modify genes, grow babies in test tubes and explore the moon, but still we cannot guarantee a woman and her children safety in their own home.
‘Refuge is enormously grateful for everywoman's continued support. Support like this means that Refuge is able to strengthen the services they offer to the women and children who need it most.’
Here are a few examples of how your contribution could change the lives of women and children:
- £10 could pay for an hour activity session for a group of children living in a refuge, helping their development and giving the mothers some time to themselves.
- £15 could allow a woman to buy her child essential materials for school - many women arrive at Refuge with nothing but the clothes they are wearing and do not have the means to buy the things they need.
- £35 could pay for a fun day of activities for a group of children in our refuges.
- £50 could fund a session of play therapy for a group of four children, helping them to overcome the trauma of witnessing or experiencing violence.
- £75 could fund a local support group session for women from black, minority, ethnic backgrounds who have experienced domestic violence.
- £350 could pay for a training workshop for 20 women, helping them to enter the employment market and regain their independence.
- £1,000 could pay for 10,000 leaflets to be printed to publicise Refuge's services, reaching out to the most vulnerable women and children in need of our help.
- £1,700 could allow an outreach worker to visit 136 women in their home or a place of safety, helping them to take control of their lives and to keep themselves safe.
- £3,500 could pay for 20 children to receive a programme of 12 sessions of counselling from Refuge psychologist, helping them to overcome the trauma of witnessing or experiencing abuse.
For more information about Refuge please visit www.refuge.org.uk
