Havant MP backs domestic abuse charity in bid for £25,000 funding

The Havant MP is urging people to vote for Southern Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS) to receive £25,000 grant from the Aviva Community Fund.

It comes after Mr Mak ‘bought a brick’ as part of SDAS’ Buy a Brick campaign to build a specialist safe house.

He said: ‘I was delighted to vote for SDAS and I encourage everyone to get online to help this excellent charity.’

SDAS hopes that the money will fund a playroom and garden in a refuge that will allow children who have suffered domestic abuse deal with their trauma.

Mr Mak successfully lobbied the government earlier this year to give the charity £190,000 in funding, and he says that SDAS has a ‘strong record in attracting grants’.

He added: ‘Providing shelter to victims of domestic abuse is an essential service and I’ll continue my efforts going forward to help them secure more funds.’

Aviva’s Community Fund initiative will offer grants starting from £1,000 to community projects across the UK.

Registered voters are assigned 10 votes, which they can share between any number of projects.

Claire Lambon, chief executive of the foundation, says that SDAS needs as many voters as possible to back the campaign.

‘This grant will help us to help these children deal with their trauma through therapeutic play activities, helping them to express themselves safely, giving us the potential to help break the cycle of abuse so they can move on to live their lives free from abuse,’ she said.

Lindsay Forster, UK and Ireland customer marketing director at Aviva, says that the ‘power to make a difference is in the British public’s hands’.

She added: ‘Everyone in the UK can now vote for community groups, clubs or charities to get funding from the Aviva Community Fund.

‘The different levels of funding ranging from £1,000 to £25,000 mean that everyone has the chance to make a difference to their local community and support a cause close to their heart.’