Record number of runners finish half marathon in support of women affected by domestic abuse and violence

Almost 50 runners pounded the streets of Plymouth at the weekend in aid of leading women’s charity, Trevi

Sunday, 14 May, played host to Plymouth’s annual Britain’s Ocean City Half Marathon, 10k and 5k events. The atmosphere was buzzing as runners, both women and men, came out in force to support Trevi in celebrating their 30th Anniversary and raise over £8500!

Runners came with all sorts of motivations in why they were supporting the charity. Runners included business teams, sports teams, students, Trevi staff, experienced runners and newbie runners, all wanting to show their support for the work Trevi does in supporting vulnerable women and children in the city and across the UK.

Hayley Dann, Trevi Fundraising & Marketing lead, who also ran the half marathon, said, ‘We were absolutely thrilled at the number of individuals who came forward to join us at this year’s half marathon. A big congratulations to everyone for completing their chosen event on Sunday. We can’t thank our runners and their sponsors enough for their wonderful support in what is an amazing year of celebration for us. Running is difficult, and we know how hard this wonderful group of people have trained for their events. They should all be extremely proud of themselves.’

Along the route, runners were supported enthusiastically by their families and friends of Trevi, with runners easy to spot in their bright pink vests, t-shirts and super ‘Shero’ capes!

Ryan ran as part of Plymouth University’s tennis club and said, ‘This is the best thing I have ever done……. I am glad I could do this for Trevi as they are such a good charity. Being in Plymouth, it's only right that it should be for a local charity.’

Liv ran with the Wilderness Medicine Society from Plymouth University and said, ‘I was pleased to be running for Trevi this year, an amazing charity that helps women in the city that need it. They are a great charity to get behind, and I was so proud to be running for them.’

Trevi continues to work tirelessly to support women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse daily – providing safe and nurturing spaces for women and their families to heal, grow and thrive.

In celebration of its 30th Anniversary this year, Trevi has launched their Blossom appeal, which focuses on raising funds for a women-only accommodation service based in the centre of Plymouth next to their Sunflower Women’s Centre.

Blossom Women’s House will be a trauma informed house for women with complex and multiple needs. It has the capacity to accommodate nine women across three floors. It is a safe, contained, homely space with an enclosed back garden.  Blossom Women’s House will be the place where women can find some peace and security and can take some positive steps in their journey of recovery from trauma and abuse.  

The accommodation is vital as there is a shortage of women-only accommodation in Plymouth. Countless projects, service interventions and commissioned research highlights how a lack of women-only accommodation is acting as a significant barrier to women moving forward in life.  Women are entering a revolving door in and out of accommodation, restricting their ability to even get a chance become drug and alcohol free, address their trauma and understand how it manifests so that they can move forward in life.  Women are unable to exit prostitution, are sofa surfing in unsafe, perpetrators’ homes, locked into a world of drugs and substance misuse and at a continuous and high risk of domestic and sexual violence. Whilst there is already a lot of incredible work happening in Plymouth, Trevi wants to seize this opportunity to help to build capacity for women.

Trevi has now reached a critical time where vital funds are needed to ensure that women are given the best possible chance of exiting a life filled with trauma and abuse by allowing them to move into women-only accommodation.

The funds raised from the marathon will go directly towards the Blossom appeal

For more information about the appeal, please visit trevi.org.uk/blossom-appeal/.

To get in touch, please email communications@trevi.org.uk