One in four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime.

This means that someone you know, a sister, daughter, friend, colleague or neighbour, could be at real risk.

Worryingly during lockdown, there has been a 14% increase in the number of women affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence across England. 

At The Nelson Trust we have seen a similar increase in the levels of need. The pandemic has meant that women have had less opportunities to reach out and access support.

You can help us to be there for women offering practical and emotional support at their time of need. We provide socially distanced face-to-face, online and telephone support.  The kind of support we provide involves basics such as food parcels, mental health support, safety planning and access to refuges. 

So Step For Freedom and join our steps challenge in April.

Your walks and runs will give women across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset and their families access to our holistic support.

You could pledge:

- 5,000 steps

- 10,000 steps 

- or even 13,000 steps a day which would over the month get you between The Nelson Trust's four Women's Community Centres. 

How

This could be a personal challenge, or you could take part with your family, colleagues or member of your community group. 

It is absolutely free to enter and we just ask you to encourage family, friends and colleagues to sponsor your efforts pledging to raise at least £100.

One you have raised £20 we will send you a Nelson Trust branded t-shirt to wear with pride. 

Once you register, you can create a fundraising page which will be linked with the free Strava app and so each time you exercise your distances will automatically update your page. You'll then be able to track and compare your performance with others. Don't worry if you don't have the Strava app as you can also upload your progress manually. 

Your fundraising page will be live when you register so you can start collecting sponsors now. Your distance will start being recorded from 1 April. 

After you sign up we will invite you to an exclusive supporter group to share your success and receive tips for staying active and improving your wellbeing. 

Please stay safe. We encourage everyone who takes part in this challenge to follow the government's guidance on social distancing and also be aware of their own health and wellbeing. National lockdown: Stay at Home - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)