REFUGE, the country's largest provider of support to women and children escaping domestic violence, is to get a cash boost.

The charity, which opened the world’s first refuge of its kind in Hounslow back in 1971, is £3,000 better off, courtesy of the Lloyds Bank Community Fund. It followed a public show of support from people in Hounslow.

With 173 staff members and around 25 volunteers, Refuge provides support to around 3,000 women and children on any given day and also runs the Freefone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline.

Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley said: “It is fantastic to have Refuge’s important work in Hounslow recognised in this way. Refuge has very deep roots here.

“We provide emergency accommodation and run the helpline in partnership with Women’s Aid.

“Refuge also offers community-based outreach services, culturally specific services and a team of independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs) which supports women at the highest risk of serious injury or homicide.

“The legal system can be complex, intimidating and isolating for victims of domestic violence, so our IDVAs support clients through a range of activities.

“These include risk assessment and the development of safety plans to reduce this risk, providing support to allow clients to access justice and empowering them to achieve personal goals.

“A grant of £3,000 will allow our IDVAs to support six women and their children, giving them the opportunity to have a brighter future and rebuild their lives. “This award will help us to keep the doors to our life-saving IDVA service in Hounslow open.”

Now in its second year, the Lloyds Bank Community Fund gave grants to more than 1,332 local causes in 333 communities throughout England and Wales.

Four causes were nominated by staff in each community, with more than 2.3million votes cast in branches, online and by text message at the end of 2013.

Sandra believes the scheme has been a godsend during what has been, for the vast majority of charities, financially difficult times.

“The scheme is a great way of engaging local people to support the fantastic charities which make a real difference in their local community,” she added.

To find out more about the community groups in your area, visit www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund