The annual fundraising event, held at Christ Church in Old Town, generated £9,842.88 to support the charity’s work with victims of domestic abuse, along with its education and prevention programmes across Swindon.
The cheque was presented by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Dr Alexander Goodwin, and Debbie Vincent, President of the Rotary Club of Swindon, on behalf of Rotary Swindon Cares, the fundraising arm of the Rotary Club of Swindon.
The concert featured performances by the JTP Trust Youth Choir and local close harmony group Ten in A Bar. The total was raised through ticket sales and donations from members of the community.
Dr Alexander Goodwin, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, said:
“In the four months I have been High Sheriff, my eyes have been opened about what domestic abuse is all about. Having been at the front end of medical care I had seen some of the effects of domestic abuse, but meeting people and the charities that support the victims has made it clear that it’s a much more common problem and it needs to be dealt with, especially through education and raising the profile. Well done SWA and I hope this wonderful cheque will help continue the great work.”
The Rotary Club of Swindon has supported SWA for many years, including through proceeds from its annual Charity Ball, helping to fund support services for victims and healthy relationships education in schools.
Debbie Vincent, President of the Rotary Club of Swindon, said:
“SWA is a wonderful charity and one that has gone from strength to strength over the years that I have known them. It is so important to be able to support the charity and the work it does and to secure this vital charity for the future.”
Kate Rowland, Chief Executive of Society Without Abuse, said the concert has become a well-established fundraising event for the charity over the past two decades.
She said:
“Over the past 20 years of holding the annual High Sheriff’s Concert, it has gained a rightful reputation as not only a wonderful night out of music and fun, but also as a way for the community to come together to support SWA and our programmes of early intervention, prevention and education.”
She added that community fundraising allows the charity to provide more than emergency support, helping to deliver healthy relationships education to thousands of young people, workplace training for employers and behaviour change programmes aimed at preventing future abuse.
Founded in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, Society Without Abuse has spent more than 50 years supporting survivors of domestic abuse while expanding its services to include prevention, education and intervention across Swindon.
The charity works with children, families, schools, businesses and people seeking help to change harmful behaviours, with the aim of breaking the cycle of domestic abuse.
Anyone needing advice for themselves or someone else affected by domestic abuse can contact SWA’s Swindon domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
