Sea Swim for Survivors event raises over £4,000

The Aurora team goes swimming in the sea.
Posted January 24, 2023 by
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Aurora New Dawn has raised an impressive £4,350 thanks to its annual Sea Swim for Survivors.

The chilly winter sea swim took place on Sunday 22 January, after being rescheduled twice due to unsafe sea conditions, with approximately 12 supporters joining swimmers from our team. The swimmers took to the water at Southsea Beach with the aim of raising awareness and funds to continue their valuable work supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Aurora Chief Executive Officer Dr Shonagh Dillon said: “We have incredible supporters who regularly take it upon themselves to host events, take part in challenges and raise funds. Our Sea Swim for Survivors is something we do together as a community, pushing ourselves well outside of our comfort zone in the name of the women and children we support.”

The funds will be put towards the vital work that we do on a daily basis helping women and children make a new start in life. It’s a need that is only growing: from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, we supported 2,522 survivors through our network of services.

“In the UK, evidence shows that a woman is killed every three days by a man. For women killed by a current or former partner that equates to one woman every four days. We also know that statistically, on average, three women commit suicide every week as a result of the impact of male violence. We cannot underestimate the magnitude of the problem – and that’s why it’s our mission to support victims and survivors in every way possible,” said Shonagh.

“Our Sea Swim for Survivors is just one of the many ways that we work to gather people together and we are so grateful to the support we get from our supporters and our community. Marie Costa, the Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth, named Aurora New Dawn as her chosen charity, which highlights the importance of the support we provide to women across the county.”

You can still donate to the fundraiser by clicking the button below – every donation will help provide vital support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking across Hampshire.

The pictures:

Shonagh-about-to-get-in-the-sea

Aurora-going-into-the-cold-sea

The-survivor-swim-begins

We-survived-the-swim

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

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About the author

Writer in Residence

Sarah Cheverton is Aurora New Dawn's Writer in Residence and a freelance writer and researcher. As well as writing the copy for the Aurora website, Sarah works with the Aurora team on consultation responses, communications and service evaluations. She also works as a Co-Editor for feminist news site Women's Views on News.

See all of Writer in Residence's articles — 92 total

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