Domestic abuse cause in Boston gifted £2.5k

Longhurst Group has given the sum to the South Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service (Boston Women’s Aid) after selecting it as a beneficiary of the 2019 Dragon Boat Race, which the organisation sponsored.

The event raised a total of almost £7,000, which has been split among local charities.

Longhurst Group owns and manages 500 homes in Boston and has a regional office in the town.

Its choice of beneficiary follows on from its support for Make a Stand, a national campaign launched last year to unite housing organisations against domestic abuse.

Of the donation, the group’s deputy chief executive and chief financial officer Rob Griffiths said: “At Longhurst Group, our vision is to improve the lives of our customers and the communities we serve and this is a perfect example of how we work with local partners to achieve it.

“We’re a very proud member of the Make a Stand campaign, which was launched by the Chartered Institute of Housing – in partnership with Women’s Aid – to tackle domestic abuse and so we’re delighted to be supporting our local branch.”

Sarah Smith, operations manager at the branch, said: “I would like to thank everyone that has been involved in the Dragon Boat race and in particular Longhurst Group for choosing us to receive the funds.

“As a domestic abuse service that is purely grant funded, we do find it increasingly difficult to provide everything that families need when they initially make contact with us.

“Donations such as this make all the difference and ensure we can provide the very best for our families.”

In the run-up to Christmas, the charity is in need of donations that can help make the festive period easier for individuals and families who benefit from its support.

To make a donation, call the charity’s team on 01205 311272.