Newbury Racecourse finish post for chief exec

Foot slog raises profile of domestic abuse charity

The chief executive of a local domestic abuse charity passed the finishing post at Newbury Racecourse as she walked hundreds of miles to raise awareness of the issue.

Gerrie Jordan, chief executive officer of the Taking Steps Project – whose case referrals include Newbury and the surrounding area – will have walked a total of 310 miles around west Berkshire and Hampshire in 15 days by the end of tomorrow (Friday) in an effort to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Mrs Jordan’s routes recently took in Newbury, when she finished at the Racecourse, where she received a huge welcome.

She said: “They opened it all up for me and were very supportive.”

The charity is based in Basingstoke, but was hoping to establish a base in Newbury, and Mrs Jordan said: “We need to raise £7,000 for an outreach worker and a 24-hour call line for victims – male and female.”

After leaving Newbury, she continued to Petersfield, Alton and Basingstoke, despite suffering from sore feet and aching legs.

Mrs Jordan was cheered up on her routes by the early-morning sights and sounds of the picturesque New Forest and by the “phenomenal” support she received along the way, including donations and offers of overnight stays in hotels.

One in six men and one in four women will suffer domestic abuse at some point in their lives, according to the charity.

For more information, or to support the charity to set up a base in Newbury, telephone Taking Steps, 01256 541159, or visit www.takingstepsproject.com.