Local Boy Raises Money To Help Survivors of Domestic Abuse

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Press Release -
Ref. : DA&SRPPR37
Date : 28 June 2010

Local Boy Raises Money To Help Survivors of Domestic Abuse




12 year old Harrison from Great Yarmouth raised £310 on Sunday 27th June to help survivors of domestic violence in North Norfolk by swimming 1,000 metres.
Harrison, was inspired to embark on the Swimathon to raise money for the Empowering-Communities Domestic Abuse Survivors Programme, after his mother attended the programme having herself suffered from domestic abuse.
Harrison, who is not a member of a swimming club but has a Rookie Lifeguard certificate, has been training hard for the event which took place at 12.30pm on Sunday 27th June at the Phoenix Pool.
Claire Penning, Co-ordinator of the Survivors Programme said “In 90% of domestic abuse incidents children are present and this is one of the reasons we wanted to develop a programme that helps people remove themselves from a harmful situation and break the ongoing cycle of abuse for themselves and future generations. We are so grateful to Harrison for the good work he is doing in helping us to help others”.
Harrison said “The Survivors Programme really changed my mum's life for the better and I wanted to find a way to help others in the same position as us. By raising enough money for another lady to go on the course I'm hoping I can make other children's mums be happy again, like mine.”
Gary Pettengell, founder of Empowering-Communities said “The money Harrison has raised will pay for a survivor of domestic abuse to attend the September Survivors Programme that we are part funding in Stalham.”
Pettengell went on to say “Harrison’s efforts are an excellent example of how those affected by crime can not only help themselves but also victims of crime in other communities.”
The Stalham Domestic Abuse Survivors Programme has been organized by Sarah Bannister who is a Cluster Parent Support Adviser for the Stalham area. Sarah said “I first became aware of the Empowering-Communities Survivors Programme when I was told about it by a local resident who had attended a programme in Norwich. There is a great need in our area for this programme and I am incredibly grateful to Harrison for his fantastic donation which will fund another place on the course. He is an inspiration to us in that he has been prepared to make such an effort to help someone else in another area. I can’t thank him enough”.