International Women's Day is not new.  In 1977, the UN adopted a resolution recommending that member states hold an annual international women’s day to draw attention to women’s rights around the world. This led to International Women’s Day, which we celebrate every year on 8 March. The concept itself dates all the way back to 1910, and in fact, the 8 March date has been fixed since 1920 – it's the 100 year anniversary this year.  

We are all sadly familiar with the kind of abuse which leads women to need the services of charities like Women's Aid.  Council budgets for refuges have been slashed in the last decade.  Women's Aid's Save our Services webpage tells us that on just one day in 2017, 94 women and 90 children were turned away from refuge. 60% of all referrals to refuges were declined in 2016-17, normally due to a lack of available space.

What better to way to celebrate our freedom and the joy of a life free from abuse, than by taking a sunrise plunge in our beautiful sea?  And at the same time, we can help other women and children who are still at risk of injury and death, still living with the misery of emotional and physical abuse.

Please take part.  Please donate.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.