I’m running the London Marathon to raise money for Hestia, a charity that supports women and children in London and the South East who have experienced domestic abuse.

Every year, Hestia supports more than 4,000 women and children, helping them recover from trauma and rebuild their lives after abuse. They run 25 refuges across 11 London boroughs and in Slough, providing safe places for families to stay while they begin to heal and plan their future. Alongside this, Hestia offers community-based support and specialist teams who work directly with children in refuges, helping them process what they have experienced and move forward.

Hestia also leads important national initiatives to help people experiencing abuse find support safely. These include the Bright Sky app for those concerned about someone they know, Safe Spaces in pharmacies and banks where people can discreetly contact support services, and the Respond to Abuse Advice Line, which helps employers support staff experiencing domestic abuse.

By supporting my marathon, you’ll be helping Hestia continue their vital work supporting thousands of women and children each year to rebuild their lives and move beyond crisis.

Please support me in achieving my target, and help the thousands of women and children supported by Hestia to a life beyond crisis. Matthew Freeman