Second refuge to be built as campaign smashes target

The Independent is thrilled to announce that its target to raise £300,000 to build a safe home for domestic abuse survivors has been smashed – and that all new donations will be put towards a second house.

- ATHENA STAVROU

The Brick by Brick appeal was launched last month in partnership with the charity Refuge to build a home for a family fleeing the horror and fear of domestic abuse. Support for the campaign has poured in from a host of high-profile names including the prime minister, the Queen, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Patrick Stewart, presenter Rylan Clark, comedian Rosie Jones and chef Andi Oliver.

Thanks to the fantastic response from readers who have either donated online or through a £15 text message, the dream to build a home has been realised and work for the first property is well underway, with foundations laid and brickwork started.

A generous donation of £150,000 from Nationwide Building Society now means our initial goal of £300,000 has been reached, and we will extend our campaign to build a second groundbreaking home.

Women will be able to move into these safe houses, being built by the firm Persimmon, with any children or pets they need to bring with them.

Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief of The Independent, said he was overwhelmed by how the campaign had struck a chord with so many and kickstarted a national conversation about domestic abuse. He added: “Thank you so much. With donations from our readers and companies, and support from the prime minister, the Queen and some very well-known faces, we have managed t raise our target of £300,000 to build a safe home for survivors of domestic abuse.

“We give enormous thanks to Nationwide’s CEO Debbie Crosbie and all her team. They have shown incredible philanthropic generosity and helped us to close the deal on our first house. They have made the vulnerable safe.