On Saturday, Week 3, LUSU and Lancaster University’s Vagina Monologue group (The Vagina Monolancs) came together to host the first ever Lancaster University Run against Domestic Violence (LURADV). Many individuals and groups participated in the 10 kilometre route around campus from college JCRS, sports teams, and a wide range of clubs and societies. Overall, the run has raised £6,405 for the two charities and is still accepting donations.
LUSU said the aim of the run was to raise awareness of domestic violence against all genders. The LURADV team voted that the proceeds from the race would go to the two chosen charities supported by The Vagina Monolancs. The first 10% of the money raised will go to the global activist campaign ‘V-Day’, which was set up by Eve Ensler to raise awareness of domestic violence and fights to end violence against girls and women around the world.
The second chosen charity, which will receive the other 90% of the fundraising, is the local Trust House: The Central Lancashire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, which is based in Preston and only opened its services this January. The aim of the Centre is to provide women, men, young people and children with practical and emotional support if they have ever been affected by rape or sexual abuse. It provides special sexual violence counselling, a helpline and Young Person’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service. Currently, the Centre is looking for more volunteers and donations such as decorations and furnishings to help them prepare with their opening.
Jess French, Assistant Editor of SCAN said that she put together the team of SCAN members for the race “to get SCAN more involved in the community and try and raise a bit of money for a really good cause.” French also said that “some of the team were really good at running and ran the whole thing, whereas some people like me hadn’t run in three years. But despite the mixed abilities in the team we all had a lot of fun!”
As part of another Vagina Monolancs campaign, Week 5, saw the return of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues at Nuffield theatre, which also raises money for the two charities.
