When The Independent launched the Brick by Brick campaign last September for women trying to escape domestic abuse, it undoubtedly touched a nerve with our readers. The initial target of £300,000 was hit after only a month, and we decided to build a second safe house as more than £585,000 was raised. We thank our readers for supporting this deserving cause so generously.
The first home is occupied, and the second, also built by Persimmon Homes, is now ready for another family to move in. The campaign, run jointly with Refuge, the domestic abuse charity, won the support of politicians, royalty and celebrities, including the Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Olivia Colman, Victoria Derbyshire, Andi Oliver, David Morrissey and Sir Patrick Stewart. Other backers included The Julia Rausing Trust and Nationwide.
