Fearless fundraisers from across Swindon have raised over £14,000 for local domestic abuse charity Society Without Abuse (SWA) by braving the blaze in the SWA Firewalk.
Swindon Cricket Club was alight with bravery and enthusiasm as participants first walked over broken glass before embracing the embers, raising £14,008.08 so far, with money continuing to come in. The majority of money raised was match-funded by the Big Give’s Women and Girls Fund, meaning that the money will be used directly for SWA’s recovery programmes for adult and child victims of domestic abuse.
Cheered on by friends and family, 30 brave walkers took on the challenge of walking 15 feet over red-hot coals — a symbolic journey mirroring the experience of many survivors of domestic abuse: beginning with fear and uncertainty, building courage step by step, and finally achieving something once thought impossible.
Natasha Moyles, Operations Manager at Society Without Abuse, said: “Watching each person take those first hesitant steps, then cross the coals with strength and determination, was truly inspiring. The Firewalk perfectly captured the emotional journey of survivors, from fear to empowerment. We are so grateful to everyone who participated, donated, and supported this event. Thanks to match funding from The Big Give, the first £5,000 of the money donated was doubled and the total raised will directly help those rebuilding their lives free from abuse through our recovery programmes. It will also be used to support our work with colleges and schools across the area in educating young people on healthy relationships, so to stop abuse happening in the future.”
The event was made possible thanks to sponsorship from Gel Studios and the generosity and support of the Swindon Cricket Club and their members. Local food vendors Gourmet58, Samosas2go and the Sugar Shack kept walkers and supporters fuelled through the evening.
“Our sponsors, Gel Studios, and host Swindon Cricket Club made a world of difference to the success of the evening and the ongoing impact that these funds will make to our ongoing work,” added Natasha. “The food available was also fantastic, keeping everyone energised bringing such a warm, community feel to the night. This was a great example of the Swindon community coming together for such an important cause and the joint effort made the event so special.”
If you need advice for yourself or a friend relating to Domestic Abuse, call Swindon’s domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
To find out more about SWA visit www.societywithoutabuse.org.uk.
Article from Vox PR and Marketing
