Charity takes steps to expand to Chichester

Gerrie Jordan, chief executive of the Taking Steps Project, is planning to walk 310 miles, going out of her comfort zone for the sake of the people she supports.

The charity, based in Basingstoke, helps anybody affected by domestic abuse, including a course for victims and support meetings.

Gerrie has set a challenge to selected towns, including Chichester, promising to set up a group if the community shows its support.

She will walk to Chichester from Havant on Wednesday, August 19, and is looking for businesses and community groups to raise money. An arrival venue or event would also be welcomed.

She explained: “We get asked a lot when we are going to start our 21-week course on domestic abuse. Funding is always an issue, so I said if I can walk to you, then there is nothing stopping us.

“I decided to involve the community, asking people to hold fundraising events, then if lots of them in one town do it, we can join together and it is not so daunting.

“The aim is to raise £7,000 for each town, which is the cost of the service for a year, offering a group rolling programme.”

Gerrie will set off on August 3 and finish on August 21, walking more than 17 miles each day. She did a practice six miles last Wednesday, which she described as a ‘wake up call’.

“There is no point making it easy for me, because I know how hard it is for victims to come forward,” she said.

“We want to make it easier and more friendly for them. I want to highlight to everyone and make people realise it really could be someone you know who is affected.”

Contact Gerrie Jordan on 01256 541159 or 07810 430689.

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