Events hope to raise cash for victims of Domestic Violence.

Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 08 November 2007

November 25 marks the start of Bury's White Ribbon Campaign which is the International UN day to eliminate violence against women. The campaign aims to raise money and awareness for victims of domestic violence.

The International White Ribbon Campaign gets bigger each year with over 800 organisations in 90 countries taking part, with men leading the way with a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
The WRC is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women and was started in 1991, by a handful of Canadian men who decided they had a responsibility to urge men to speak out against violence against women. After only six weeks preparation, as many as one hundred thousand men across Canada wore a white ribbon. Many others were drawn into discussion and debate on the issue of men's violence. There are now White Ribbon Campaigns operating in many countries around the world.

The campaign runs for 16 days ending on December 10, International human rights day. Last year in Bury hundreds of people, men and women, took to wearing the white ribbon as a symbol of their own personal pledge.
This year, the Domestic Violence Forum has organised two weeks full of events to make sure that Bury plays its part. These include wrapping the clock tower in Bury in a white ribbon for the duration of the campaign and:

17 November, Charity Salsa Ball at Radcliffe Civic Suite from 8pm to 1am, tickets pound;8 in advance or pound;10 at the door

26 November, Official launch of White Ribbon Campaign with celebrity guest and launch of 150 white balloons to signify the number of women killed by their partner or ex partner per year.
29 November, The Lady Red Production, The Met Theatre, Market Street, Bury, 1.30 - 4pm

30 November, stall at Millgate Shopping Centre, 9am-5pm

30 November, five a side football tournament, Castlebrook High School, Parr Lane, Bury, 6-9pm

3 December, Female G*nital mutilation seminar, Fairfield General Hospital, Education Centre, Lecture Room, Bury.     2- 4.30pm
 
5 December, Women's Health Day, Street Doctor style health stall Bury Markets Golden Mile from 9-4pm

7 December, Sponsored walk quot;A mile in my shoes". Men walk across Bury in a pair of women's shoes - all done in the best possible taste! At the town hall, Knowsley St, Bury From 12.30pm. Women welcome too.

Councillor Michelle Wiseman Executive member for Safe, Strong and Confident Communities said: quot;Domestic Violence is an extremely serious issue and Bury intends to do its bit to raise money for charity."