Weymouth FC Women set off around the UK in support of Refuge.

Weymouth FC Women today begin an adventure in support of the team’s chosen charity, Refuge, and plan to uncover the history of women’s football on the way.

Members of the team will undertake a challenge that will see them walking the equivalent length of the UK coastline. Covid-19 restrictions mean that the challenge will take place with each team member walking, running or cycling near their home and recording their distance via an app.

At the end of each day, the team will “stop over” in a place and learn more about the history of women’s teams in that area, with facts and photos to bring women’s football history alive.

The team, who we re-formed this season and are currently third in the Dorset Women’s League, will be sharing photos of their individual journeys as they travel the 7,723 miles around the coast.

Team Manager, Natalie Anderson, said, “As a team, we’re really proud to have the Refuge logo on our shirts. We’re aware of the important work they do to support victims of domestic abuse and we’re really thankful to anyone who can donate to help cheer us raise some much-needed funding for Refuge.”

Weymouth FC Director Ryan Asman said, “It’s not been the easiest of starts for the new team with the stop-start nature of this season, but this effort shows how together they are and how the club can use it’s influence for the good of the community. I’m sure they’ll also discover some fascinating stories about women’s football in this country on their way.”

One woman in four will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime and two women are killed each week in England and Wales by a current or former partner. Refuge supports around 6,000 women & children on any given day, experiencing domestic and sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, stalking, trafficking, prostitution & so-called ‘honour’ based violence.

You can donate to support the team here – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/weymouth-f-c-women

And you can follow their journey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TerrasWFC