Northern Rock Foundation

A Tyne Valley charity, which provides support for women and children who have been victims of domestic abuse, has received a grant of more than £75,000 from the Northern Rock Foundation.

Hexham-based SixtyEightyThirty, which takes its name from the last six digits of its telephone number, was established in 2003 and has grown steadily since then, supporting 180 women and their children last year alone. Along with offering practical and emotional support and advice SixtyEightyThirty also runs a number of courses aimed at helping domestic abuse victims recover their self-esteem and re-build their lives.

The grant, of £75,632 will help fund the salary of the organisation’s co-ordinator and was one of 15, totalling more than £1m, given by the Northern Rock Foundation to charitable organisations in its latest round of awards.

Penny Wilkinson, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said: “It is easy to look at an area as picturesque and affluent as Tynedale and assume domestic abuse isn’t going to be a major problem, but the women SixtyEightyThirty supports describe harrowing scenarios of extreme isolation and abuse.The Foundation has supported the organisation since 2005 as part of its programme to support people who experience domestic abuse and to reduce the incidence and impact of this crime.”

Georgie Cruddas, Chief Executive at SixtyEightyThirty, said: “The Northern Rock Foundation has a real understanding of what we do. We are a very small, very specialized charity aiming to raise awareness and challenge attitudes around domestic abuse. Their funding has been absolutely vital. Without it, the consistency of care we provide to women and children would have been jeopardized. However, their generosity means that we are able to continue our vital work”.

For press information contact Hilary Florek 0191 285 7100 or 07831 552624 email hilary@hilaryflorekpr.co.uk