Posted by 
Preston will once again support an annual global campaign to raise awareness of violence against women and girls.
The University of Central Lancashire and its Creative Communities Group are inviting the community to join them this weekend to take part in the One Billion Rising for Justice (VDay) campaign.
Held every year in February, One Billion Rising is a global event that brings people together to stand, sing and dance to demand an end to violence against women and girls. The event is inspired by the startling statistic that one in three women across the planet will be beaten or raped during their lifetime.
ead more: Play about family, loyalty, and political violence coming to Preston
Russell Hogarth, University Honorary Fellow, community ambassador and co-founder and chair of the Creative Communities Group said: “We have been involved in this event, which is the biggest mass action in human history, since 2013 in a show of solidarity and support. The Preston gathering has grown in popularity every year and we hope that 2025 is the biggest yet.”
The free event will take place in the University’s Preston Campus Students’ Union (SU) Atrium between 12pm and 2pm on Saturday 8 February.
Phil Kaila from Salsa Northwest will again lead the Break the Chain dance, the official song played at all One Billion events around the globe.
This year, the CCGUK is partnering with the University’s School of Law and Policing, No Whispers CIC, Certain Curtain Theatre Company, and Lancashire SAFE Centre based at Royal Preston Hospital.
Read more: Fashion, language and matcha tea: Popular Japan Day Festival returns to Preston this week
Claire Moore, Director of Certain Curtain Theatre Company, said: “We stand in solidarity with the Creative Communities Group One Billion Rising event to amplify the call for change and an end to violence against women and girls globally.
“Since 1995, Certain Curtain Theatre Company has used the power of original drama to illuminate these issues, spark conversation, and inspire action. Together, through creativity and collective effort, we can challenge injustice and create a world where women and girls live free from violence and fear.”
Helen Bingley OBE JP DL, High Sheriff of Lancashire, added: “I would like to give a very loud ‘shout out’ to the Creative Communities Group One Billion Rising mass action to end violence against women and girls in their call to action.”
The event is open to all and doesn’t require booking. People are free to turn up and parking is free throughout the day on the Preston Campus.
“Don’t worry, you don’t have to dance, just come along to clap and support,” added Russell.
For more information, email Russell Hogarth at [email protected].
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See more of what’s on in Preston
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to [email protected] for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.
