My name is Katie Walker. I am 32 years old and I am a domestic violence survivor. I was beaten so badly by my ex-partner that every bone in my face was broken, and I spent 3 months having reconstructive surgery. Funny thing is, I don't remember feeling any pain from the broken bones or the surgery, because the pain came after. The pain came when I shut myself off from the world, the pain came when I lost all my confidence. I felt worthless -- like i had no reason to carry on... It took me years, but with help, I found the strength to get through this dark time in my life. As I recovered, I knew that I now needed to help the other women.

With the help from the Prince's Trust I have gone on to open a salon in Liverpool. They helped me grow in confidence and gather the strength to finally find the courage inside to share my story. I wanted to raise awareness, and to help others escape -- to show them there is hope...

I am now a Young Ambassador for the Prince's Trust, and I've gone on to win Liverpool Best Beauty Professional, a Pride of Britain award for sharing my story, and and helping other by giving free pamper days in my salon to help build their confidence. I was awarded Merseyside Woman of the Year 2018, and have just been given a Courage Award in the Liverpool Echo Awards! (Image by Colin Lane)

All of these things have given me the platform I need to set up my own charity to help the thousands of others who need help. Government funding is pitifully low for abuse victims, so I've been fundraising myself but every pound donated makes a difference and is desperately needed.

The Prince's Trust supported me in developing a plan to make this happen, but it will cost £71,000. I am currently renovating 2 floors of the building which houses my salon into a domestic abuse centre, with the necessary security so that women feel safe coming in. We intend to offer a confidence-boosting course which will include relaxation, therapy, pampering, counselling, and scar covering. Going on from there, we will provide work experience, vouchers for interview clothes, self-defence classes, training and much more.

From my own experience, I know that just getting together and talking to others who have been though a similar events helps more than anything! These victims have done the hardest thing ever -- and that's to escape -- but sometimes escaping means you are left with nothing. And that includes the loss of your self-worth. I am determined to make the KatieCares charity a big success, but I really need funding and I need you help to make it happen. Your donation can help me to provide the support so that these brave women can rebuild their lives, helping get them back into society, to find work, and to stop them feeling that they have no option but to return to their abusers. Let's show them they are not alone.

Some shocking facts: Two women a week are killed as a result of domestic violence in the UK. Last year, there were 1.7 million reports of domestic violence in England and Wales. Now is the time to make a change. If you would like to support this important work, please get in touch at katiecares.notalone@hotmail.com or 0151 530 4679

Thank you for taking the time to read my story Kxx