This September, myself and some of my loved ones are taking on the Lake District’s 5 Peak Challenge; a tough, 22km hike that scales 5 peaks, including the iconic Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. We have committed to this challenge to raise awareness around Violence Against Women and Girls and to hopefully raise some vital funds for local survivors of domestic abuse. The 5 peaks we will climb may sound like a challenge but are nothing in comparison to the mountains survivors and their families have to overcome to gain safety, security and freedom to rebuild their lives. Every step we take is a stand against abuse and a step towards safety, support and change for these individuals.

The NPCC have declared Violence Against Women a National Emergency, on par with terrorism, highlighting systemic misogyny, the online radicalisation of young men and the glorification and escalation of violence such as Non-Fatal Strangulation in the media. In the UK, one-fifth of all recorded crimes are accounted for by this category, a woman is killed every 3 days by an intimate current or ex-partner, 93% of domestic abuse perpetrators are male and 1 in 5 children have lived with a domestic abuse perpetrator. All individuals have a right to feel safe, heard and supported at home and in the community. Myself and others who are taking on the challenge work with local survivors directly and are hopeful that further awareness and funding will bring us closer to achieving this. We are hoping to beat a target of £400, and all proceeds will go directly to helping local survivors of domestic abuse by ensuring they have access to support and services, tools to keep them safe and secure accommodation.

We would be grateful for any support you can offer, whether that is a donation, sharing this page with your friends, families or colleagues, or cheering us on from the side lines! In which ever way you support us, thank you for being part of a positive change!