A HALTWHISTLE woman is hoping to raise funds in a charity walking challenge.

Toni Embleton, 35, is hoping with support from family and friends to raise as much as possible when she walks 58 miles in February for Refuge. 

Refuge is a  charity providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic violence. It was founded by author and Men’s Rights Activist Erin Pizzey.

Erin opened the world’s first safe house for women and children in 1971 when women were escaping domestic abuse.

The charity now supports 7,000 women and children and provide a woman arriving at a refuge with the support she needs for her first night. 

It is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK. Its services support thousands of survivors, helping them to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives — free from fear.

Toni, a full-time mum, is hoping to show the importance of the charity as she achieves her goal at the end of the month.

She said: "I’d like to thank those who have donated so far and I’m hoping more people can help towards such a good cause.

"Domestic violence is unfortunately something that is happening far too often.

"I believe that it is important to help the charity help others by raising awareness and helping women to come forward and speak out.

"The charity lets people know they’re not alone and that there is help out there.

"This is my first time raising money for this charity and only decided to do it this year when the fundraiser opportunity came up on my newsfeed, so I applied.

"I am hoping to walk two or more miles every day to achieve my goal."