Clear out your closet to raise money for Refuge O
F THE many horrific headlines to come out of lockdown, the revelation that the number of calls to the domestic abuse helpline Refuge has leapt by 50% since it began, is one of the most shocking.
Now a host of famous faces including Dame Joan Collins, Dame Helen Mirren and Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood are joining forces with celebrity magazine OK! to launch the OK! Closet Clear Out – and raise vital funds for the UK’s biggest anti-domestic abuse charity.
Dame Helen, patron of Refuge said: “Self-isolation is a strange time for us all, but it’s so important that we look out for vulnerable women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse right now. So I am very pleased to support Refuge and the Closet Clear Out campaign.”
Strictly judge Shirley Ballas, actress Kym Marsh and EastEnders’ Lacey Turner and Louisa Lytton have also joined the fight, along with Lisa Snowdon and many more.
Now they need YOUR help. The celebs are sorting through their wardrobes and offering up fabulous items to be auctioned online for you to buy – with 100% of the profits going directly to Refuge.
As well as the 50% increase in calls to Refuge’s helpline since the lockdown came into force, online requests for help have increased by 400%.
Home secretary Priti Patel is pledging her full support to the Clear Out.
“I commend OK! for giving this issue the national prominence it deserves,” she says. “This campaign will send a strong message that we all see domestic abuse for the despicable crime it is.
“With little contact with the outside world, victims will be feeling trapped or isolated. That’s why campaigns like the OK! Closet Clear Out are so important. They let people know help is still available.”
Sandra Horley CBE, chief executive of Refuge, says, “We’re very grateful to OK! and the support it’s providing Refuge, so we can continue to deliver vital services to those that need them.”
Former Corrie star Kym is offering up the green dress worn to The British Soap Awards among her items.
Says Kym: “I have always been a huge supporter of Refuge, as I think the work they do is very important. “It’s now more than ever that we must do what we can to support them.”
Dame Joan, 86, has donated a stunning pair of Roberto Cavalli heels to the auction.
She says: “I am very sad to hear domestic violence is on the rise.
“So I’m glad to be part of this very important OK! campaign to raise muchneeded funds for Refuge, to help victims of domestic abuse.”
■ You can help support Refuge by bidding on the celebs’ items at ebay.co.uk/ str/okclosetclearout or by donating £5 to Refuge by texting OK4REFUGE 5 to 70480.
Or join the OK! Closet Clear Out and auction items from your own wardrobe. List them on eBay and you can choose how much of the sale goes to Refuge. Be sure to tag yourself on social media @ok_mag #okclosetclearout
If you need help from Refuge call 0808 2000 247.