End men’s violence against women

My name is Lilly Pinder, and in April 2025, I will be running a marathon with a deeply personal motivation. My grandfather, who has completed 29 marathons, is no longer in good enough health to run his 30th, so I will be running this race in his honor. However, this marathon will not only be dedicated to him but also to the billions of women worldwide, which brings me to the cause behind my fundraiser.

In February 2024, Laken Riley, a young university student much like myself, went out for a run. She texted her mother to let her know where she was going, shared her location with friends, and ensured her phone’s tracking was active. She chose a well-trafficked trail, ran during daylight hours, and even managed to call for help during the attack.

Yet, despite all of these precautions, it wasn’t enough. Laken was brutally beaten and left for dead by a man, and when she was found, there were clear signs of attempted sexual assault (The Independent, 2024).

This tragedy is not isolated. In the UK, statistics reveal that one in four women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime (Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, 2024), and it is estimated that 27% will face domestic abuse (ONS, 2022/23).

All proceeds from my fundraiser will go directly to White Ribbon UK, a charity that works to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and girls. Women deserve to feel safe and empowered in every aspect of their lives, including something as simple as going for a run. For this to become a reality, men must be educated, and violence against women must be unequivocally condemned. No one should ever have to live in fear.