Running to Support HELP

"HELP have been Auckland's provider of specialist sexual abuse support services since 1982. Among their services are support through Court processes; a 24/7 helpline; a call-out service to support people through police interviews and forensic medicals​; psycho-education for preschool children and their caregivers; face-to-face therapy on-site for children and their families; young people and adults; training for community groups; and secondary school services.

Sexual violence has a high cost. Victims/survivors, perpetrators, family members, friends, acquaintances, and others are affected by sexual violence in many ways: physically, emotionally, socially, legally, financially, at school, home and work.

All of us feel the impact. Both the act of and the threat of sexual violence have significant effects on many people throughout their lives."

Approximately 24% of women and 6% of men in Aotearoa report experiencing sexual violence in their lifetimes (https://rpe.co.nz/sexual-violence/). All of us have either experienced sexual violence ourselves or know someone that has. The fact of it means that HELP struggle to keep up with the sheer volume of people that need them (survivors often can be waiting up to four months to see a counsellor). In 2017 they almost closed. Unfortunately, HELP receive minimal government funding so are forced to rely on volunteers, private donors, philanthropy and their own fundraising.

We are passionate about doing our part to support this critical service.

Our runners (of various distances) for the Hawkes Bay Marathon 2019 are: Tom Riley, Jane Brock, Cheyenne Datuin, Stephen Rankin, Mackenzie Hewett, Jefferson King, Bruno Lane, Heather Bridgman, Yuan Wen and Ben O'Neill.

Check out HELP's website for more information on the amazing work they do and how you can help.

https://www.helpauckland.org.nz/

If you need support, you can call the 24/7 HELPline 09 623 1700.