Virtual for the first time: Running together against violence against women

Last year it had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, this year it will be held in a virtual format - the sponsored run of the Women's Office of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district in cooperation with the association "Frauen helfen Frauen Waldeck-Frankenberg" for the benefit of the Bad Wildungen Women's Shelter. In the period from 1 September to 31 October 2021, sports-mad runners can run together with their sponsors true to the motto of the event "Together against violence against women". District Administrator Dr. Reinhard Kubat and District Women's Officer Beate Friedrich call for active participation.

"The Bad Wildungen women's shelter does very valuable work in dealing with the consequences of domestic violence, which in fact mainly affects women," said Beate Friedrich. Due to the pandemic with its contact restrictions and the resulting necessity to stay within one's own four walls, to be together in a sometimes confined space for a longer period of time, domestic violence has even increased. It is therefore all the more important, adds the district administrator, not to let the sponsored run lapse for another year. "That is why we have resorted to this new, virtual format."

Anyone who wants to take part in the run fills out a registration form with their name, address and e-mail address. The sponsors - e.g. family, friends, clubs or companies - also enter their contact details on the registration form. They decide whether they want to pay a fixed amount for "their" runner or an amount per kilometre run, which they can also determine themselves. The sponsor will inform about the number of kilometres run after the race. All proceeds go without deduction to the Bad Wildungen Women's Shelter and thus to the women and children living there.

"Of course, we can also issue donation receipts," says Gundula Schmieding from the association "Frauen helfen Frauen" (Women Helping Women), promoting the sponsored run. However, this is only possible from an amount of 25 euros. District Administrator Dr. Kubat also points out the compilation that will be made from pictures and video material from the sponsored run. "For this we need lots of photos or videos of the runners", gladly with the certificate that all participants can have with their name and kilometres run. The compilation is to be published on the homepage and Facebook page of the association "Frauen helfen Frauen Waldeck-Frankenberg" and in the local print media.

Further information on the sponsored run is available from the Women's Office of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district at tel. 05631 954-318, e-mail frauenbuero@lkwafkb.de, or from the association "Frauen helfen Frauen" at tel. 05621 3095, e-mail frauenhaus@fhf-waldeckfrankenberg.de, Facebook frauenhelfenfrauen.wa.fkb. The organisers are looking forward to many "walkers" in the period from 1 September to 31 October 2021.