Abuse survivor walks the walk for charity that helps her

A brave survivor of childhood abuse has stepped forward to thank the organisation which helped her through the tough times.
Amanda, third from right, with her team which walked from Stirling Castle to the Falkirk WheelAmanda, third from right, with her team which walked from Stirling Castle to the Falkirk Wheel
Amanda, third from right, with her team which walked from Stirling Castle to the Falkirk Wheel

Amanda Louise Brown from Larbert, her mum Sara and friends Lauren McIntosh, Jeanette Young, Kirsteen Ronald and Wendy Greenhill McCormack all trekked from Stirling Castle to The Falkirk Wheel, a distance of around 20 miles, to raise money for – and awareness of – Open Secret.

The Falkirk-based charity works with survivors of childhood abuse and trauma.

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It offers vital counselling, advocacy, befriending and a range of therapies which helps those who have suffered all forms of abuse, including sexual, violent and domestic.

These can leave emotional scars which often, if not always, see victims struggle going forward, but support from Open Secret has helped Amanda and hundreds of others cope with the aftermath and go on to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Amanda (24), who works as an area sales manager for a food company and is a part-time model, has received counselling at Open Secret for the past five years and she believes the work it does is vital.

She said: “I chose to raise money for Open Secret as a survivor of child abuse myself. This organisation doesn’t get enough credit for its services.

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“It has helped not just me but also my family cope with the aftermath that such abuse causes. If it wasn’t for its help, things could have been a lot different today.”

To donate visit www.just
giving.com/fundraising/Amanda-Brown28.

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