Hola, 

Well as most who visit this page already know, I took the obnoxious decision to give up chocolate and sweets for 125 days from the 4th of November, so was annoying people throughout the festive season with my abstinence. However! I'm still going strong, and am gonna keep it up till March sometime. 

Now you probably also know i've given up such things for a charity that supports prostitutes in Bristol, "How is you not eating choclate going to help prostitutes?" is one put to me many a time. Well, hopefully I can reach the target of £125 or more, and this donation will go to a charity called One 25:

http://www.one25.org.uk/index.php

*note* although you can donate via this website, please donate through my button at the top! 

In brief, they offer a service which give women trapped in prostitution (trapped being the operative word; 99% of street workers in Bristol are addcted to Class A drugs, 66% are homeless) a chance to recieve nutritional food, drink, warm clothes, personal alarms and condoms in a safe space. This is an outreach van that goes out 5 days a week, manned by women. 

a rough statistic shows that only 1% of violent incedents against street based sex workers results in a conviction, as these women often feel (and are) stigmatised by official authorities. So the men committing these crimes are worryingly free to attack again and again, and the women are left without any means of support or justice. Members of One25 listen and talk to the women about their experiences, offering information and advice. 

In meeting with the sex workers One25 aims to offer a friendly service, that eventually sees the women set free from all types of abuse, enabling them to build self esteem and reach their potential. By demonising prostitutes, or ignoring the problem of dangerous prostitution, I feel we are letting women down who have been victims of unfourtunate circumstance (not to mention allowing the attackers to reoffend).

As i'm not sure  many people will sponser me, as chocolate is a pretty lame thing to give up- I am imploring my friends to do so! Also ladies! This is a womens' issue right here, support your sisters. 

Besos