Sexual violence charity receives over £3,000 from Rosie's Plaques
The funds will go towards providing counselling support by volunteer counsellors at Sue Lambert Trust
Ahead of Sexual Violence Awareness Week, a Norwich-based guerrilla art project has raised over £3,000 for Norfolk’s main charity offering support to survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
Sue Lambert Trust received a cheque for £3257.59 as a result of Rosie’s Plaques latest fundraising campaign, selling badges, T-shirts and tote-bags based on the alternative blue plaque bearing the message: ‘For our sisters who were Just Walking Home.’
Clive Evans, chief executive officer of Sue Lambert Trust said: "We really appreciate the support of the Rosie’s Plaques’ team. The simple but poignant message on the latest plaque resonates with the support we provide to help those who have experienced sexual violence and abuse, including domestic abuse.
"This donation will go a long way. It costs £2000 a year for us to fund and support one fully-qualified volunteer counsellor; the people who generously donate their professional time each week to provide the therapy that helps people heal, recover and build resilience.
“We support more than 300 people every week in Norfolk with therapy and counselling services. Sadly, demand is high with self-referrals rising. We want to support as many survivors of sexual abuse as we can, and this donation is a fantastic funding boost for us. It means we can offer professional counselling at no cost to someone. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers at Rosie’s Plaques for supporting us.”
Maggie Wheeler from Rosie’s Plaques said: “We are proud to have raised this money for the Sue Lambert Trust and appreciate the support of the many people who bought our badges, bags and T-shirts and for recognising what an important cause this is.
“We put this plaque up in sadness and anger following the death of Sarah Everard. In the nine months between her death in March and the end of 2021 a further 102 women were killed in acts of violence by men.
“Women have a right to be safe in their homes and on our streets. We will continue to call this out, along with other women in our city and beyond.”
Rosie’s Plaques started selling the badges in November at £10 for five, online and also at Bookbugs and Dragon Tales bookshop, the Book Hive and Tombland bookshop in Norwich, selling thousands within a few hours of launching.
All the handmade merchandise bears the same inscription as the latest plaque situated near St Giles’ Street ‘For our sisters who were Just Walking Home.’