Local charity, Survive seeks match funding as they paddle for healing in York Dragon Boat Race

Survive, a specialist local charity providing trauma-informed support for adult survivors of sexual violence and abuse across York and North Yorkshire, is calling on individuals and organisations to support their fundraising efforts through match funding, donations, and sponsorship.

This July, Survive is taking to the River Ouse as part of the York Rotary’s Dragon Boat Race, hoping to raise £4,000 to help fund their life-changing services. To boost this effort, Survive is appealing for individuals and organisations to sponsor their team or match the funds raised.

“This is a chance to support survivors and help them reclaim their lives,” said Ms Mags Godderidge, CEO at Survive. “By donating, funders will directly help more people access the critical services they need to cope, recover, move forward, and thrive after experiencing sexual trauma.”

Survive provides a holistic range of services, including Support Services, Counselling, Trauma Therapy, EMDR Psychotherapy, and a dedicated helpline. Survivors arrive at Survive experiencing complex psychological distress, including PTSD, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. More than two-thirds of those that Survive supports are adult survivors of child sexual abuse. In addition to later mental illness, child sexual abuse is also associated with lower educational attainment, higher unemployment, financial instability, homelessness, substance misuse, and increased vulnerability to sexual re-victimisation.

Donations will go via the York Rotary charity fund with two thirds of funds raised going directly to Survive and helping survivors heal, rebuild, and thrive. The remaining third will go to the Rotary’s nominated charity for 2025, Citizens Advice York, and their own Charity Fund.

Survive invites local businesses, foundations, and individuals to pledge match-funding or donate to support the Dragon Boat team’s efforts. Every contribution helps Survive reach more survivors and change more lives.

Donate or Pledge Matching Support:

To donate to #TeamSurvive, please visit: https://yorkrotary.enthuse.com/pf/team-survive

For further information on sponsoring the team or, if you’d like to join the team, please email fundraising@survive-northyorks.org.uk

Find out more about Survive here: https://www.survive-northyorks.org.uk/

Find out more about the Dragon Boat Race here: https://www.yorkrotary.co.uk/about-dragon-boats

Together, we can help survivors heal, rebuild, and thrive.