Behind Closed Doors to benefit from inaugural event (From Wharfedale Observer)

Behind Closed Doors to benefit from inaugural event

1:20pm Thursday 5th November 2009

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The first ever Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in the UK will be held in Leeds to support an Aireborough-based domestic violence charity.

On Saturday, November 14, members of the local community will be sponsored to wear a pair of high heels and walk a mile around Woodhouse Moor to raise vital funds for Behind Closed Doors.

The charity, which has been supporting victims of domestic violence for 12 years, has been struggling to raise enough money to prevent it from folding.

Organisers say its loss would be a devastating blow as it is the only organisation of its kind in the North West of Leeds. Last year Behind Closed Doors helped 500 women.

The campaign has been supported by Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, who said: “The charity has always been close to my heart and I have spoken about it in Parliament previously, so as far as I am concerned, for behind Closed Doors to shut down due to lack of funding is not an option.”

“Behind Closed Doors has been providing a hugely important service to our community for 12 years. It’s time for the community to show its gratitude and get walking.”

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a worldwide initiative to educate communities about domestic violence and raise money for local organisations. Events have previously been held in several countries including the USA, Canada and South Korea.

It is hoped a rescue package of funding from Leeds City Council can be put together to save the Otley charity from closure.

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