Kate Gill, The Independent’s Video News Editor, and Joe Dawson, its Assistant Video News Editor, will be taking part in 2024’s London Marathon, in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for Refuge.

Refuge is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK. On any given day, its services support thousands of survivors, helping them to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives — free from fear. It is also The Independent’s official charity partner.

Kate says: “I am going to be running the 2024 London Marathon and then enduring an Olympic Distance triathlon seven days later. My goal is to not only raise £2,000, but to surpass it.

Both are brand-new feats for me and I am very excited to see what I’m physically capable of in a bid to raise awareness and money for this desperately needed charity.  The challenge also marks a personal achievement and celebrates my recovery after breaking my back in 2022.”

Joe adds: “I’m completely new to running and endurance sport in general, so my challenge is getting over the finish line before noon the next day. I’m also growing out my hair to an obscene length. So please, for my sake, get donating. The sooner I reach the target the sooner I can get a haircut!”

To sponsor Kate, please visit here.

To sponsor Joe, the link is here.

Every two minutes someone turns to Refuge for support. It’s crucial to keep its lifesaving services running, such as its 44 refuges and 24/7 Helpline, to be a lifeline for women and children affected by domestic abuse.

£10 could pay for a mobile phone top-up for a woman to let her family know she is safe / who is unable to use her phone as her phone is being tracked.

£15 could go towards essentials for a woman’s first night at a refuge.

£25 could buy learning and play kits for children in a refuge.

£52 could provide a woman and her children with a safe night’s stay in a refuge.

The Independent announced its partnership with Refuge in March 2023, to coincide with International Women’s Day. The relationship involves a number of commercial, editorial and internal initiatives, including always-on signposting of Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline. The partnership enables Refuge to reach more people, raise more money and increase societal awareness of domestic abuse.