The mother of a woman who was brutally murdered by her ex-partner has told of her delight after a fundraising campaign launched in her memory raised more than £1,500 in its first week.
We have vowed to raise £10,000 towards the cost of kitting out Leeway's new domestic violence safe house as part of Kerri's Campaign which has been launched following the murder of Kerri McAuley in January this year.
The campaign, which was launched on Friday, November 17, has broken through the £1,500 mark in the first week after more than £1,400 was raised on a JustGiving page, while more than £100 in cash and cheques had been sent into our head office in Norwich.
And with collection buckets for Kerri's Campaign at a couple of events this weekend - Leeway's Charity Ball and a Christmas Craft Fair by Britannia Enterprises at Waterloo Park, Norwich - it is hoped the target will be even closer in the coming days.
Lesley, Kerri's mum, said she was 'so pleased' with how the campaign had been going.
She said: 'It's started off really well.
'There's lots of things people have said they're going to be doing which is great.
'It's only the first week... it's great.'
Mandy Proctor, chief executive of Leeway, said she was also delighted with how the campaign had gone over the past seven days.
She said: 'There's been some fantastic publicity and it's encouraging that people are donating and the amount is going up.
'It's fantastic because it's getting nearer and nearer to enabling us to equip the refuge and we urge people to donate to such a worthy cause.'
A collection held by Tony Mitson-White, Kerri's stepfather and Lesley's partner, at McCarthy and Stone in Norwich on Thursday (November 23) raised a total of £605.22 which has been put towards the campaign.
Lesley and some of Kerri's friends will be talking about the campaign at Leeway's charity ball which takes place at Sprowston Manor hotel between on Saturday, November 25.
The craft fair will be at Waterloo Park on Saturday (November 25) and Sunday (November 26) from 10am until 5pm.
Kerri's Campaign
We have vowed to raise £10,000 to try and ensure a new Leeway refuge can be kitted out in memory of Norwich woman Kerri McAuley who was murdered by her former partner.
Kerri, 32, suffered 19 separate injuries to her head and face following a 'sustained and brutal' attack by serial abuser Joe Storey who then left her to die alone in her Norwich home in January this year.
Kerri's family - including mother Lesley - have given their support to the campaign and said the mother of two would have been proud of it.
To donate visit the Kerri's Campaign JustGiving page or alternatively send cheques, made payable to Archant Community Media Ltd, to Sandra Mackay at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE.
Alternatively, those wanting to donate can send cheques, made payable to Archant Community Media Ltd, to Sandra Mackay at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE.
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