The Cridge Centre for the Family, a vital Victoria shelter supporting women and children escaping abuse, received a $30,000 boost on Oct. 24 from a community fundraising walk.
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation presented the cheque following its Night Light Walk at Esquimalt Gorge Park. More than 100 participants illuminated a three-kilometre path through the park, joining similar walks across nine Canadian cities to raise awareness about intimate partner violence.
"Funds raised help us support hundreds of women and children to start violence-free lives every year," Marlene Goley from The Cridge Centre said in a news release. "Everyone who walks, donates, or supports the event sends a powerful message that a community stands behind women’s efforts to get safe and stay safe."
The Centre offers second-stage housing, counselling, legal advocacy, and essential resources to help rebuild lives—a vital service amid Canada’s intimate partner violence crisis, with 95 municipalities having declared it an epidemic.
Sponsored by TD Bank, the event included opening remarks from Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins and had the support of volunteers from Esquimalt High School.
Since 1998, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has raised over $46 million to support 200 women’s shelters nationwide.
