Tonight, hundreds of Victorians will join nine other cities across Canada in support of a charity which raises funds for shelters and programs that support women and children fleeing abuse.
This will be the second time Victorians have had the opportunity to participate in this charity and to support the cause, there will be a ‘Night Light Walk’ to raise awareness for the charity and cause.
The charity is organized by the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and presented by TD with all funds raised in Victoria going to The Cridge Centre for the Family—a local charity located on Hillside Avenue that helps families in need.
Last year’s walk in Victoria raised over $27,000 for the Cridge Centre.
According to Royal LePage, an estimated 360,000 children witness family violence every year in Canada.
In 2022, the rate of intimate partner violence was more than three times higher among women and girls and there were over 117,000 reports of intimate partner violence.
Many crimes of this nature go unreported, so this figure is just the tip of the iceberg.
Between 2023 and 2024, there were 95 municipalities across Canada which declared intimate partner violence epidemics in their communities.
To help put this issue on a pedestal, Victorians who want to help cand do so in a few different ways:
- Attend tonight’s Night Light Walk at 7 p.m. beginning at Esquimalt Gorge Park (1070 Tillicum Road)
- Register and fundraise by signing up online to raise a minimum of $50— the youth fundraising minimum is $25
- Spread the word by encouraging friends, family and colleagues to join you in making a difference and share the event on social media using the hashtag #NightLightWalk
- Learn more about the event and cause here
“The Night Light Walk brings our community together to light up a night of hope to end violence against women. Funds raised help us help hundreds of women and children launch violence free lives every year,” said Marlene Goley, The Cridge Centre for the Family.
“Everyone who joins the walk, supports the event, and donates, sends a powerful message that there is a community of support behind women’s efforts to get safe and stay safe.”
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation was started in 1998 and to date, has raised around $46 million for local shelters and violence prevention programs across Canada.
Night Light Walk
- Where: Starts in Esquimalt Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Road
- When: Thursday, October 24th, at 7 p.m. (they suggest attendees arrive at around 6:15 p.m.)
