Brave abused mum to cycle to help charity

KATIE Ducklin (36) with her children Devon (15) and Freya (13)

A BRAVE mum who escaped an abusive ex-partner is preparing to cycle 40 miles from Oldham to Winsford in aid of Women's Aid on Sunday.

Katie Ducklin will be joined by her children Devon (15) and Freya (13) for the challenge in a bid to raise money for the charity which supported the family after their terrible ordeal.

Katie (36) was attacked by her former partner in October, 2015 but bravely reported the incident to the police before leaving him for good.

Katie, originally from Oldham, said: "He had come home from a works do drunk but happy.

"His mood suddenly changed to anger and an argument started about petty things.

"I was punched three times in all and strangled twice. I was slammed into a door and thrown to the floor. My son attempted to defend me and punched him but he was pinned down and punched himself. His lip was split.

"My daughter had witnessed most of it but was kept out of harm's way by my children's older brother Dylan, their dad's eldest son, who had been visiting.

"I had been with my ex for four years before this had happened but all that was over in the seconds of that first punch. I knew we were leaving him at that moment."

Her partner was arrested and charged with assault by beating and assault by beating on a minor following the incident and was eventually given a suspended sentence and fined. The family were also granted a restraining order against him.

Katie, an early years educator, continued: "The Cheshire West and Chester Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit helped us a lot. They phoned us every week and offered us valuable support and advice. I chose to fundraise for Women's Aid when I learned that they fund this unit and hundreds of others like it across the country to help people get out of abusive relationships."

Katie first held a "purple party" in aid of the charity last year as a way to thank the charity, her friends and family for their support and mark the new chapter in her life, raising £300 on the day.

Katie said: "Shortly after this party I wanted to raise even more money but also wanted to push myself and find a new challenge.

"I decided on a bike ride cycling from where I grew up to where the children have grown up - Oldham to Winsford - as these two places mean the most to me. I have set my target to £300, we hope to smash that."

Katie has been training regularly with Devon and Freya and are now looking forward to Sunday's ride from Moorside to Morrisons in Winsford.

She said: "My friends have been brilliant and will be collecting money at Morrisons in Winsford waiting for our arrival. I would like to thank everyone for their support. They kept us going."

To support the campaign visit https://getinvolved.everydayhero.com/uk/katieducklin .