In 2008, more money was donated to the Donkey Sanctuary than to the three biggest charities trying to fight domestic violence and abuse combined.

This is the sort of information that crosses my desk every day at Oxford Analytica, where I try to make sense of what is happening here in the United Kingdom. One thing I’ve learned is that women have suffered disproportionately from the recession, and from the government’s response to it.

Yet there is money out there. We just hosted a brilliant Olympic games. We’ve spent years bailing out banks and the economies of entire countries. And my goodness we are caring beautifully for our donkeys – in 2009, the Donkey Sanctuary received £20 million in voluntary donations to care for around 12,000 donkeys. By contrast, Refuge, which helps protect women from domestic violence, received just £1.7 million in donations. 

Surprising? Yes. Upsetting? Certainly. But what ignited my decision to train for a half marathon (when a few months ago, I could barely run for the bus) is that several women who are very dear to me have had to leave their relationships this year after experiencing domestic abuse – physical and emotional, some of it life-threatening, all of it deeply troubling for the women involved and those who care about them.

Nor were they alone. According to the government’s figures, more than one in four women has experienced at least one incidence of domestic violence by a current or former partner. Yet the organisations trying to keep women safe from domestic violence are stretched to the limit and constantly threatened with more funding cuts.

This doesn't seem right. I want to do something about it, and I hope you'll help me. Here's how:

I am going to run 13 miles through London on October 7 to raise money for Refuge.

I've pledged to raise at least £400. If my family and friends donate that sum, I'll match it.

Thank you for your support!

Steph