I will be taking part in the TrekHER50 challenge in October 2022 to raise funds for Refuge. Refuge believes that no-one should have to live in fear of domestic abuse. On any given day Refuge supports more than 7,000 clients, helping them rebuild their lives and overcome many different forms of abuse. Any donation you give will be hugely appreciated.

About 18 years ago, I left my home with my two young sons for emergency accommodation. I was terrified. Frightened of what was happening to us, worried about how we would cope, and anxious about what the future held. I had, with the help of social services, just left an abusive relationship with the boys' father. We were later transferred to a refuge. There we were given food, beds, clothes and warmth and I had people to turn to. The boys were even given toys because everything we owned and the life we'd known were gone.

My youngest son and I had been regularly threatened with violence. I'd been told I would die if my former partner decided that was to be my fate. While living that way was horrendous, leaving him brought its own challenges and frightening situations. There was being homeless, there was having no access to financial support (from my own accounts), no access to our belongings and facing the courts on a regular basis trying to prove over and over again that I had suffered coercive control and violence at his hands. I had to fight in court (or it felt like it) to keep my children. 

The help we received from everyone around us was phenomenal and there are three people in our lives we'll never be able to thank enough. Without them we wouldn't be here. The refuge kept us save, looked after our wellbeing and provided critical services that helped us move forward as a family. 

I have signed up to raise vital funds for Refuge because all these years later, there are still far too many women and children fighting for their lives. I raise funds through my work, and in February 2021 I ran 100 miles for Refuge. I will spend my lifetime trying to give back and raise awareness of what survivors endure and the crucial support they need. This is one way I'd like to continue to support this vital charity. Please support me if you can. Thank you, Claire