Famous faces join domestic abuse charitable effort
Yorkshire names are among business leaders and celebrities taking part in a fundraising initiative in support of domestic abuse charities. Laura Reid reports.
THE LATEST figures revealed by domestic abuse charity Refuge last week were stark.
Since the Covid-19 crisis began, its National Domestic Abuse Helpline and website have seen a rise in demand, with visits to the latter, where women can request a safe time to be contacted, increasing by 950 per cent compared to before the pandemic took hold.
It is against this backdrop that business leaders and celebrities are taking part in a fundraising initiative tomorrow to raise money for domestic violence charities.
The event is the brainchild of Dani Wallace, a 36-year-old domestic abuse survivor from Preston.
The professional singer and international speaker has organised ‘The Big Festoon’ in aid of Women’s Aid, the Mankind Initiative and specialist LGBT+ anti-violence charity Galop.
Faye Connelly, fundraising manager at Women’s Aid, says the money will make a huge difference.
“In recent months, we have all witnessed the spread and impact of Coronavirus and the threat that it poses to women and children experiencing domestic abuse,” Faye says.
“Many women will now be isolated at home with an abuser, with little safety and no way to access face-to-face support.
“Every penny raised will make a huge difference to our work responding to this crisis and reaching more women who need our support.”
The event will feature 12 celebrities and 12 entrepreneurs and will include power ballads, DJ sets, business inspiration and motivational talks, designed to boost the spirits of businesspeople whilst raising awareness of the domestic abuse charities.
Dani says guests will also lift the lid on how they are dealing with lockdown, with the show challenging the idea of ‘social media perfect lives’.
Huddersfield-born consumer and retail expert Kate Hardcastle will be talking to Dani about her Access for All project, which sees business experts offer a helping hand to charities, community projects, social enterprises and start-up entrepreneurs.
Other Yorkshire names taking part include Bradford-born actress Natalie
Anderson, who starred in Emmerdale. She will speak about how channelling her anxiety led to her creating a fashion and wellness brand whilst TV and radio presenter Stephanie Hirst, from Barnsley, will discuss how her podcast has been keeping her busy during lockdown.
“Now is the time where those of us in a position to do so must do our bit – to inspire, motivate and uplift each other but also to support those more vulnerable than ourselves,” Dani says.
“I am no big shot, but I am keen to use my loyal audience to make a difference here.”
Dani is a survivor of domestic violence and homelessness thanks to intervention and support from local services. When she was four months pregnant, a former relationship came to a violent head and she was almost strangled. With the help of domestic abuse services, she was able to escape.
But then a single mum of two and barely able to afford her mortgage and nursery fees, Dani fell into homelessness with her children, sofa surfing with family and friends.
It took five years for her to rebuild her life and she now works closely with domestic abuse charities to raise awareness and funds and to speak to survivors with a message of hope.
She also launched the I Am The Queen Bee movement, mentoring and coaching women across the UK to help them improve their lives.
The Big Festoon will take place on her TV programme Show Up, Wise Up, Rise Up and will be streamed via her Facebook page – The Queen Bee Dani.
It will be held from 8am until 8pm tomorrow, with viewers asked to donate after each segment of the show.