52 Lives

#296 Hazel

Request: Donations / Kind Messages

This week, we’d like to help an elderly woman called Hazel, who has just left her partner after decades of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

Hazel is 79 and has been living with abuse for most of her married life. As well as the physical abuse, her husband was also incredibly controlling - to the point where she wasn’t allowed to leave the house unless he was with her.

Hazel sought help, and is now safe and in her own council flat. She said she wants to live “whatever life she has left free from abuse and in peace.”

Hazel has been through such a terrible time, and it took enormous courage for her to leave. But she left with only her clothing and has nothing else. 

With your help, we’d love to furnish her flat and provide her with everything she needs to start afresh.

WHAT WE NEED

1. Donations: We will use 100% of your donations to help Hazel buy the things she needs for her new flat. Any funds we raise above what is needed will be used to help Hazel in other ways. To donate online, click the link below (you can donate by credit card, Apple Pay and PayPal) or to donate by text, please use the details in the box provided. Cheques can be made payable to 52 Lives and sent to 52 Lives (Life # 296) PO Box 3154, Reading, RG1 9AT. 

2. Kind Messages: Hazel is by herself for the first time in decades, and we'd like to send her lots of kind messages to let her know she isn't alone. To send a message for Hazel by email. just write your message in the form below and we will pass it along (your contact details will not be shared). Or to send a message by post, write to 52 Lives (Life # 296) PO Box 3154, Reading, RG1 9AT.

(Hazel isn't very well at the moment, so we haven't set up an Amazon wishlist this week as we didn't want her to be overwhelmed with deliveries and packages).

DONATE ONLINE

WHAT WE DID

You donated more than £3000 in one week, which means we’ll be able to buy her everything she needs to start over. We’ve already bought her a bed and warm bedding – and will be buying the rest over the next few weeks (it’s taken a little bit longer than planned, as Hazel ended up having to have surgery).

Thank you so much to everyone who helped in some way. As well as the donations, we received so many kind messages for Hazel. It’s going to make such a big difference to her and, most importantly, it will let her know that she’s not alone.