Lake Macquarie local Rodney Batchelor is tying up his laces this Sunday to keep his cousin, Lynda Greenwood's memory alive and say "enough is enough" to domestic violence.
Ms Greenwood was killed by her on-again-off-again partner, Jason Lloyd, in October 2020 in Sydney's south. Lloyd pleaded guilty in 2022 to murder and was jailed for 25 years.
"I was so in shock about the events that unfolded on that day, I knew I had to do something," Mr Batchelor said.
On Sunday, October 13, he is running five kilometres from the Warners Bay Foreshore area as part of family and domestic violence charity, Got Your Back Sista's I Run For Her fundraising campaign.
"I'll be running for Lynda on that day and for everyone else who is caught up in such a horrible environment where they might not think there is an out," he said.
"One of the things Lynda kept to herself was the torment that was happening behind closed doors that she didn't really share with everyone and she didn't share it because of the fear of what could happen," he said.
In his second year of getting involved, Mr Batchelor wanted to help highlight the issue of domestic violence so people knew more about existing support networks.
"It has been such a topic that has been talked about for so long but little action has been done, only now are things starting to move in the right direction," he said.
So far he had raised $2000, surpassing his goal of $3000.
"Having a place like Got Your Back Sista, a support network like them to show that there's somewhere to go and there is hope out there, is extremely important," he said.
How to get involved
In its fifth year the I Run For Her campaign encouraged groups and individuals to host walks and runs across Australia, with all funds raised going to Got Your Back Sista.
The majority of dedicated spots are in the Hunter area with barbecue locations at Empire Park, Newcastle, Warners Bay Foreshore, and Rose Point Park, Singleton from 8.30am to 11am.
Other meetup locations include 8am at Green Point Reserve, Belmont, Throsby Creek, Carrington and 8.30am at Booragul Rowing Club.
Got Your Back Sista founder Melissa Histon said the run started in 2020 with 141 people, but now it attracted more than 1000 participants across Australia.
More than 900 people had registered in the Newcastle region so far with sign-ups still open up until Sunday.
"Each year has been raising awareness of the issue of domestic violence and the importance of bringing the community together and making a stand against domestic violence," Ms Histon said.
She said survivors of domestic violence might carry guilt and shame about their experience and it was important to let them know there were people there to support them.
"People don't have to suffer in silence or suffer alone because abuse thrives in silence," she said.
New statistics by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research revealed in the 12 months to June 2024, police proceeded with 483 domestic Apprehended Violence Orders breaches in Newcastle and 632 in Lake Macquarie.
Ms Histon hoped the public nature of the campaign would put a spotlight on how abusive and controlling behaviour was neither normal nor OK.
"What we see each year is more and more women are reaching out, they're having the courage to reach out to us and other services and go, this is happening to me.
So far they have raised $46,941, after raising $110,000 in 2023.
Ms Histon encouraged anyone to get involved, whether it was running or walking.
"Sadly you never actually know who may be experiencing abuse or who may be in a coercively controlling relationship," she said.
To read more go to: irunforher.com
