FEATURE:
A Lifeline for So Many Women and Children…
PHOTO CREDIT: MART PRODUCTION/Pexels
Why I Am Raising Money for Refuge
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THIS is not the first time…
that I have engaged in fundraising for Refuge. They are a charity that are very dear to my heart. I am going to take information from their website before coming to my fundraising event and important reasons for supporting Refuge. I would urge people to also follow Refuge on Instagram. Not only do they post useful information and links. They also highlight people who are fundraising for them. The work they do is invaluable! They are saving lives. If you look at their page that looks at how your (people who donate to Refuge) support helps, the statistics are moving. Among the figures is how 96% of those who leave Refuge’s services feel safer. It is very clear that this is a charity that is making a difference! I will move on in a minute. However, I have combined information from various sections of their website to give you an overview:
“We opened the world’s first safe house for women and children in 1971.
It was in Chiswick, West London. Women and children escaping domestic abuse flocked to our doors because, for the first time, someone was saying it was wrong to beat your partner. Back then, domestic abuse was seen as a “private matter”, to be dealt with behind closed doors. Society turned a blind eye.
Since 1971, Refuge has led the campaign against domestic abuse. We’ve grown to become the country’s largest single provider of specialist domestic and gender-based violence services.
We believe a world without violence and fear is possible.
We provide the highest quality services for survivors.
Refuge provides a range of life saving and life changing services. We put the experiences of survivors at the heart of our work and help amplify their voices. Our specialist staff understands the diverse and complex needs of women and their children – and we are experts in the dynamics of domestic abuse and gender-based violence.
We helped design the first National Occupational Standards for domestic violence, which set out the specialised knowledge and skills needed to deliver the highest-quality support. We then developed these standards into Ofqual-accredited qualifications, demonstrating what best practice looks like on the ground.
Everything we do is evidence-led. We use survivor feedback, knowledge and experience to continuously learn, improve and innovate our services based on what we know works.
We provide comprehensive specialist training to our own staff and volunteers on a wide range of issues, and also train professionals in their local communities — including police officers, teachers, and GPs — on how to respond appropriately to domestic abuse.
We protect survivors by helping to drive policy change.
Refuge advocates for changes to policy, practice and legislation that will better protect survivors of domestic abuse and prevent future abuse. That includes driving policies to ensure the sustainability of life-saving domestic abuse services.
We also build partnerships with other organisations doing vital work in this area, sharing and growing our expertise to expand our impact. This includes organisations with deep knowledge of specific marginalised groups of women, to understand how we as a society can meet the specialised needs — and overcome the unique challenges to access — faced by certain groups.
We prevent future abuse by shifting perceptions.
Refuge believes that domestic abuse is a gendered crime that will not end until we have radical culture change which addresses gender inequality. We know that we need to challenge and change public attitudes, and raise awareness of the different forms domestic abuse can take. That’s why we:
Run national, award-winning awareness-raising campaigns, which educate the public on domestic violence and show women experiencing abuse that they are not alone
Train professionals who come into contact with abused women, including police officers, doctors, social workers and midwives
Work to end gender inequality, which is the root cause of domestic abuse”
As I am fundraising for a forthcoming event (in June), I am being supported by the charity. In terms of suggestions to get my total hit and make an impact. Those who work for Refuge are so dedicated to making a difference. Helping so many women and children affected and displaced by domestic violence. Among Refuge’s Ambassadors are Billie Piper, Dame Helen Mirren and Chanita Stephenson. Their Champions include Aisling Bea, Richard Herring and Flo Finch. Why should anyone, including myself, support Refuge? 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. That is startling. 25% of all women will be the victim of domestic violence. We will all probably know a woman who has experienced it (I certainly do).Every 30 seconds, the police receive a call relating to domestic abuse. Refuge work to empower women to live a safer life. To be free from the fear and control of domestic abuse. However, there is still work to be done. Recent news reports that Londoners are less likely to report domestic abuse compared to other areas of the country. Refuge’s CEO Gemma Sherrington responded to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report on babies, children and young people, Victims in their own right? Some very sobering and powerful words:
“All survivors of domestic abuse have the right to tailored support, and children are no exception. Refuge has been working closely with the UK Trauma Council to develop a holistic, trauma-informed support model, but this must be matched by increased, long-term funding for lifesaving children’s services.
“Supporting children effectively requires a multi-agency approach, so we echo the report’s call for a shared language framework that places the onus on the perpetrator and fully considers the child’s needs.
“Every child has the right to live free from fear. Refuge calls for the report’s recommendations to be implemented by all relevant Government bodies without delay. And with the Spending Review on the horizon, now is the time to commit to sustainable funding for specialist organisations. Children’s wellbeing – and lives – depend on it”.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need help, the number to call is 0808 2000 247. That number is free and open 24 hours a day. This link also provides advice to anyone who is experiencing abuse. Signs to watch out for when it comes to domestic abuse. Refuge are delivering such vital help at a moment of crisis. A recent survey revealed three-quarters of U.K. adults are unaware of the scale of domestic abuse. Not only are women murdered by their partners. Many are taking their own lives. In fact, suicides as a result of domestic abuse have overtaken homicides. That applies to England and Wales. That is sickening to realise. The true extent of domestic abuse. How many women are so in fear and trapped that they take their own lives. We are living at a time when toxic masculinity and the influence of popular incels and misogynists are contributing to the rise in domestic abuse cases. So many women and children subjected to unbearable and heartbreaking abuse and violence. Many made homeless and forced from their homes. This is something that is very much present and needs to end! It is horrifying that domestic violence is such an issue in 2025. It is even more important that we all do all we can to fundraise and support Refuge. As they do such tireless and amazing work. There are a couple of reasons why I am fundraising for them. On 21st June, I am embarking on a walk from East Wickham Farm in Welling to Oxford Circus in London. June 2025 marks fifty years since Kate Bush stepped into AIR Studios in Oxford Circus to record her first professional recordings (in a professional studio rather than with professionals necessarily) under the mentorship of David Gilmour. She was sixteen, and it was a monumental and important moment. I have recently published my 1,000th Kate Bush feature, so I wanted to tie that together and mark an anniversary and a milestone.
On social media, I follow people like David Challen. He is a domestic abuse campaigner and often publish news stories, statistic and quotes around domestic abuse (and he has a book coming out soon). Its affect and scope. Something that is affecting so many women and children in the U.K. I am going to end with a quote from Ikram Dahman, Refuge’s Interim Director of Fundraising, Communications & Policy: “We’re really grateful to Sam for choosing to support Refuge as he marks this milestone in his music journalism career. Commemorating his 1,000th article with a Kate Bush-themed walking challenge is a creative and heartfelt tribute - and a powerful act of allyship. Violence against women and girls is at epidemic levels, and every two minutes someone turns to Refuge for help. We’re honoured that Sam is walking in solidarity with survivors and using his platform to help raise both awareness and vital funds. It’s thanks to supporters like him that we can continue providing life-saving services and campaigning for a world free from domestic abuse”. It is touching that Ikram provided that quote! I am not alone. So many others are doing incredible fundraising events to help raise awareness of and funds for Refuge. This is a charity that are as essential now as ever before. I will continue to work alongside them for years. I am already planning another fundraising event for next year. Maybe a yearly thing I will do. However, as I look ahead to a very special walk next month, I was eager to discuss Refuge and why people need to urgentlysupport them. I have not quite hit my fundraising target yet, so any additional support would be gratefully received! It will be an emotional day, but I am very much looking ahead…
TO 21st June.