I have been running my own blog for over thirteen years now. As a music journalist, I love to spotlight new artists and cover a wide range of subjects. My interests include gender equality in the industry and highlighting the amazing women in music.

The single artist I write about more than ever is Kate Bush. Very soon, I will publish my 1,000th feature about her. I wanted to use that milestone to do something special and raise money for a charity that means a lot and is hugely important.

On 21st June, I plan on walking between East Wickham Farm, Welling (on the outskirts of South East London), and Oxford Street, London, specifically 214 Oxford Street. East Wickham Farm is where Kate Bush lived when she was young, and 214 Oxford Street is where AIR Studios used to be.

In June 1975, Kate Bush travelled to AIR Studios to record three tracks, two of which (including The Man with the Child in His Eyes) would appear on her debut studio album, 1978's The Kick Inside.

To celebrate fifty years of a momentous moment, I wanted to mark that journey by walking just under thirteen miles between Kate Bush's childhood home and where AIR Studios used to be.

Rather than doing it solely to commemorate 1,000 Kate Bush features, I also wanted to generate funds for and awareness of Refuge.

In addition to supporting a feminist cause, it is also about helping to combat and tackle domestic abuse. Horrified and hugely concerned about the rise of violence against women and girls in the U.K. (in addition to misogyny and sexual abuse), there is an epidemic that has made the news this year. A national emergency that should be talked about more, charities like Refuge are invaluable.

The statistics and facts around domestic abuse in the U.K. have moved and impacted me.

Suicide rates among domestic abuse victims have surpassed homicides. It is a harrowing statistic that should be a national conversation.

One in four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and on average, one woman is killed every 5 days in England and Wales by a current or former partner.

Refuge is the largest single provider of specialist services to survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based abuse and runs the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline that provides the first step to women escaping abuse. 

By kindly sponsoring me today, you are helping to save and change the lives of thousands of women and their children. Thank you