After working for around 15 years supporting families at a local Primary School in Plymouth I retired twelve months ago. My personal need to continue making a difference in people's lives just will not leave me and so after considerable thought I decided to run the London Landmarks half marathon for Refuge.

One woman in four will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime and two women are killed each week in England and Wales by a current or former partner.

Refuge supports around 6,000 women & children on any given day, experiencing domestic and sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, stalking, trafficking, prostitution & so-called ‘honour’ based violence.

By kindly sponsoring me today you are helping to save and change the lives of thousands of women and children escaping domestic violence. sadly I have had first hand experience working with mothers and their young children here in Plymouth and know that charities like Refuge can be their life line.

Thank you so much for your support, Diane