The Archers on BBC RADIO 4
‘The Archers’ fan Paul Trueman has almost hit £55,000 total so far, breaking the £50,000 target in fundraising for an anti-domestic violence charity based in Devon. With the campaign running viral, what inspired this radio-show lover to start fundraising?
Character Helen Titchener on the BBC Radio 4 programme is currently at the centre of a storyline where she is suffering domestic abuse, motivating Paul to take action and fundraise for those going through similar situations. The charity Paul has dedicated the fundraising to is Refuge:
Refuge is the UK’s largest single provider of specialist accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence. Refuge provides safe, emergency accommodation throughout the UK and runs a 24 hour national domestic violence helpline, in partnership with Women’s Aid. Refuge offers individual and group counselling and community based outreach services for abused women, including specialist services for minority ethnic communities.
Social media users have been digging deep to donate generously, including a celebrity following. Carol Vorderman and Sir Patrick Stewart are amongst many names who have amplified the fundraising with messages of support.
Charity Digital News have reported that “Talking to the North Devon Gazette, Trueman, head of social media at Bray Leino, said the generosity had been ‘a real eye-opener’, with people donating everything from £3 up to £1,000.
“The charity is really chuffed, they have had a huge amount of free publicity and it has been their biggest fundraiser that has been done with the public,” he told the newspaper.
UK Fundraising have also been following the story, reporting: ‘On his page, Trueman said it was time to do something constructive and to think of all the women who are genuinely stuck in abusive relationships.
He wrote –
“If over the last year or two you’ve sworn at the radio, tweeted in outrage, taken the name ‘Robert’ in vain, or posted your disgust at the worsening situation in Blossom Hill Cottage, then now’s your chance to do something constructive about it.”
Commenting on the campaign, Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley CBE said –
“Refuge is incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated to the ‘Helen Titchener Rescue Fund’. Raising this amount for Refuge is an amazing achievement. Anything that raises awareness of our work whilst raising much-needed funds is wonderful – and vital. Since 2011, Refuge has experienced a reduction in funding across 80% of its services. This money will translate into specialist support for real Helen Titcheners up and down the country.”’
How can you help similar causes to raise funds?
If you would like to find out more or were moved by anything you read, take a look at a few live charities on Givey also aiming to stop domestic abuse, such as START (Survivors Trauma and Abuse Recovery Trust). You can start fundraising now to help eradicate this behaviour from our society and improve aftercare. #GiveyItAGo
Written by Emma Barnett
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