A charity supporting victims of domestic abuse has received a funding boost from one of the country’s leading housebuilders.
A donation of £1,000 has been made to Oasis Domestic Abuse Service by Persimmon Homes through its Community Champions scheme, a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match funds they have raised themselves.
Oasis, which was crowned Kent Charity of the Year at the 2019 Kent Charity Awards, supports victims of domestic abuse in East Kent. It has two refuges, or safe houses, for women and children at such high risk of serious harm or death that they have no choice but to flee their homes.
Loukia Michael, from Oasis, said: “We are raising money for the first phase of our plan to buy our own refuge buildings.
“Taking the step to leave your home and community and everything you know to go to a refuge is an act of great courage and one of hope. We want to be able to help any woman or child in this position to have somewhere safe, a place to heal and recover as they work towards building a safer future for themselves and their children.
“Thank you so much to Persimmon Homes, this grant will make such a big difference to the families we help who are so vulnerable.”
Martin Crick, sales director for Persimmon Homes South East, said: “We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile service.
“Oasis Domestic Abuse Service provides help and support to women and children when they are at their most vulnerable. As housebuilders we know how important it is to have a safe and secure place to live, and Oasis gives this back to families in their hour of need.
“If people were unsuccessful in their application for Community Champions funding last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again.”
To find out more information Community Champions, or to nominate a charity group, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions
To find out more about Oasis, visit www.oasisdaservice.org