Chelsea and owner Roman Abramovich praised for supporting anti-domestic abuse charity Refuge during coronavirus lockdown
Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes has praised the club and owner Roman Abramovich for supporting domestic abuse charity Refuge during the coronavirus lockdown.
Last year, 1.6million women in the UK suffered from domestic abuse, and there’s evidence that cases have increased over the few weeks since the government’s new social distancing guidelines were introduced.
According to Refuge, there has been a 25 per cent increase in calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline and requests for help online since the lockdown began.
The charity has said they received hundreds more calls last week compared to two weeks earlier.
Premier League giants Chelsea are putting their support behind the charity by raising awareness and pledging to match donations made during this difficult time.
And Blues boss Hayes says Russian billionaire owner Abramovich has been passionate about promoting the cause.
“This is something that matters very much at our club," Hayes told the talkSPORT Breakfast.
“Not just my team but the owner all the way down.”
On owner Abramovich, she added: “For those who don't know, he's been a wonderful supporter of the women's team and all we do. I am on the club's foundation board and see first-hand how invested our owner is and the work the owner does.
For info and support on domestic abuse:
- Police: 999, press 55 when prompted if you can't speak
- Refuge UK wide 24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247
- Welsh Women's Aid Live Fear Free 24-hour helpline: 0808 80 10 800
- Scotland National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriages 24-hour helpline: 0800 027 1234
- Northern Ireland Domestic Abuse 24-hour helpline: 0808 802 1414
“We felt this was a really important charity to help raise awareness and funds for women and children experiencing domestic abuse during coronavirus.
“Women can feel they have no support or way of getting out in isolation and this shows there is something there for you.
“At Chelsea we are certainly behind trying to raise awareness so people reach out instead of feeling they have nowhere to go.”