Macclesfield Mother Takes on Extreme Arctic Trek to Save Vital Domestic Abuse Services

A Macclesfield mother will undertake a gruelling 88-kilometre Arctic expedition in April to help save one of the UK’s longest-running domestic abuse charities facing imminent closure of its survivor services and support centre.

Victoria Cook, aged 43, will drag a sled through freezing temperatures to raise funds for MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse), which has launched an emergency appeal to raise £500,000 to keep its doors and services open after complete withdrawal of council funding.

When Victoria left an abusive relationship, MyCWA provided crucial support:

"The toughest times came when the relationship ended and I needed advice and support more than ever before. I don't know where I would be without MyCWA's help. When I learned they might have to close their doors after 47 years of saving lives, I knew I had to do something dramatic to help."

Victoria's Arctic challenge coincides with the charity's desperate race against time to maintain its vital services, which support almost 4,000 adults and children across Cheshire annually.

She emphasises: 

"These aren't just services - they're lifelines,"

Expedition preparation has been gruelling. Victoria trudges Macclesfield's trails wearing a 10kg weights vest while pulling a 30kg tyre called Tyrelor Swift (previously she pulled a 15kg weight dubbed 'Weightney Houston').

She says:

"I'm already onto my third pair of shoes from traipsing through the mud. If you see me out training with Tyrelor Swift, please feel free to say hello!"

The Arctic trek will test Victoria's endurance as she navigates freezing temperatures and challenging terrain. Despite being new to Arctic conditions, her determination is unwavering. "MyCWA was there for me in my darkest hours," she says. "Now it's my turn to fight for their survival."

Those wishing to support Victoria's mission can donate at: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/victoria-cook-1728195062095 

...or follow her journey on YouTube:

@victoriacook1627