Huge £1m appeal for refuge gets boost from MP and Westminster

Southern Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS) aims to raise this amount to buy and then staff a refuge in south-east Hampshire.

A central part of the campaign is their Buy a Brick appeal whereby supporters can buy virtual bricks that will appear on an online wall on their website.

Havant MP Alan Mak has bought a brick to support domestic abuse victims and help raise funds to build the safe house. He recently visited the Havant based charity to learn more about the work they do.

Mr Mak said: ‘I am proud to “buy a brick” and support a campaign which will help local women and rebuild lives across the region.

‘I successfully lobbied the government to give SDAS a £190,000 cash boost this year, and I’m proud to continue my support for their great work. Building a safe house in the region is essential and I urge everyone to get behind this excellent campaign.’

Mr Mak is campaigning in Westminster to secure another £600,000 for the charity.

Statistics show that in the last year 1.4 million women were victims of domestic abuse and two women were killed by their partners or former partners every week.

Claire Lambon, CEO of SDAS, said: ‘We are very excited about the ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign. ‘It is so important that refuge provision for victims of domestic abuse is maintained in South East Hampshire. We thank Alan for his continuing support of SDAS both locally and at a national level.’