An ambulance sector community fundraising initiative has already raised £1,500 towards the establishment of a pioneering new sexual safety support service for ambulance staff – three times more than its original target – with donations still coming in.
AACE staff including Managing Director Anna Parry and Reducing Misogyny and Improving Sexual Safety Programme Lead Bron Biddle joined colleagues (plus Fig the springer spaniel) from across the sector and members of the Ambulance Voices community to undertake the Corvedale Three Castles Walk on 12 January 2025 – a circular walk of eleven and a half miles in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.
The money raised for the new service – which will be developed and hosted by TASC The Ambulance Staff Charity – will provide a safe space and listening ear to all serving ambulance staff and learners (although anyone from TASC’s eligible client base could use the service), who have been affected by a sexual safety issue, inside or outside of work.
Members of the Ambulance Voices Community (which consists of colleagues with lived experience, and allies) understand how isolating it can be to experience any form of unwanted sexualised behaviour.
Donations are going towards the cost of specialist training, the setting up of a dedicated phoneline and the future development of resources that will address risk factors for perpetration (such as support with loneliness and porn addiction).
Bron Biddle said:
It was a wonderful way to start the year by coming together with colleagues to fundraise for TASC’s new sexual safety support service, which has been co-developed by the voices of lived experience.
We are overwhelmed by the support and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated.
Anna Parry said:
I was delighted to be able to take part in this brilliant fundraising initiative with Ambulance Voices colleagues to raise money for this excellent new TASC endeavour.
Thank you for all the generous donations and to everyone who is supporting us and working with us to ensure that the ambulance service becomes a place of safety for all.
The Corvedale Three Castles Walk takes in points of interest such as Broncroft Castle, old Motte and Bailey site, Corfton Castle site, Corfham Castle site, Old Chapels and Delbury Hall.
