Sarah Williamson expects to start every day of her Ecuador hiking adventure with tears.

That was the case two years ago when the Greater Victoria real estate agent embarked on her first Royal Lepage Trek for Shelter in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Purcell Mountains.

Both gruelling and amazing, each day of that adventure started with a briefing outlining hike details and a reminder of why they were there.

B次元官网网址淲e had letters sent to us from women or families in shelters,B次元官网网址� Williamson recalled.

Every morning a member of the group was nominated to read. The one she recalled most vividly was from a young girl whose mom was killed by her partner.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a reminder, it makes everything real,B次元官网网址� said Williamson, a member of the South Island Home Team, Royal Lepage Coast Capital Realty.

In a year, the Cridge Centre for the Family supports more than 400 women and children impacted by violence and poverty. The Victoria agency hosts a suite of programs, ranging from supportive and transition housing to the crisis hotline to housing for seniors and a traumatic brain injury support group.

WilliamsonB次元官网网址檚 Trek for Shelter in Ecuador serves as a fundraiser, with 80 per cent of her personal proceeds supporting the critical Victoria support. The other 20 per cent goes to an equally important national fund.

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B次元官网网址淭he thing I love about this organization is 100 per cent of the money goes directly to the shelters,B次元官网网址� said Williamson, noting fees paid by agents run the foundation, freeing up all money raised to go to charities. B次元官网网址淚t was an easy choice to get behind that one.B次元官网网址�

SheB次元官网网址檚 close to hitting the $10,000 mark.

ItB次元官网网址檚 hard to quantify the impact of that, said Marlene Goley manager of the Cridge Transition House for Women.

There are the predictable costs associated with women fleeing violence and going into a temporary shelter. The temporary nature means they work hard and when they prevail and find housing there are known costs B次元官网网址� moving, first grocery shop, hydro hookup, and tenants insurance.

B次元官网网址淚t can cost $1,000 just out of the gate for a woman to really launch with just the basics,B次元官网网址� Goley said. B次元官网网址淭he list is long and it is all important to help women launch safe lives.B次元官网网址�

ThereB次元官网网址檚 also the unpredictable. For example, a woman with children finds a job and needs childcare, which requires a sudden deposit. A sadly frequent occurrence is someone in need of immediate help who has found a place to stay the next week but needs a few daysB次元官网网址� accommodation. Having shelter foundation funds helps pay for nights in a hostel or other safe place to sleep.

B次元官网网址淚 always say that these funds make the impossible possible,B次元官网网址� Goley said.

B次元官网网址淭he kind of funds that Sarah is raising not only helps women in this very practical way but it also gives women a very powerful message that there is a community supporting the effort to stop the violence in their lives. ThatB次元官网网址檚 huge B次元官网网址� it really is such an important message for women to hear especially when theyB次元官网网址檙e feeling their most vulnerable,B次元官网网址� Goley said.

WilliamsonB次元官网网址檚 contribution comes at a time when the numbers are trending upward B次元官网网址� for a variety of reasons.

B次元官网网址淭he numbers have always been too high,B次元官网网址� Goley noted. They could be higher because of awareness, rise in prevalence, or people are feeling more empowered. Likely all compounded by the housing crisis and high cost of living leaving women staying longer because itB次元官网网址檚 harder to find a home, Goley said. There have been times this year when Cridge has had to put a hold on adding names to the waitlist because it was just too unrealistic to hope beds would be available.

B次元官网网址淭he fact remains weB次元官网网址檝e had a longer wait list for a longer period of time than weB次元官网网址檝e ever had,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a perfect storm.B次元官网网址�

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The physical and mental challenges of the Royal Lepage trips are one reason Williamson chooses to raise funds and awareness that way.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 motivated by being able to be part of a small change we can all work towards,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not meant to be a beach holiday, itB次元官网网址檚 hard.B次元官网网址�

The Ecuador trek to the top of a mountain with strangers for five days B次元官网网址� with its added elevation issues B次元官网网址� provides just an inkling of what women fleeing violence might feel.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e just stepping out into who knows whatB次元官网网址檚 going to happen. ItB次元官网网址檚 got to be terrifying,B次元官网网址� Williamson said.

B次元官网网址淚 could cut a cheque but itB次元官网网址檚 just not the same thing. WeB次元官网网址檙e pushed out of our comfort zone for four or five days, but imagine doing this with three or four kids and a death threat over your head.B次元官网网址�

Donate online at from now until Nov. 10. Royal LePage Shelter Foundation issues tax receipts in February for all donations of $20 or more.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 250-479-3963 at any time. Visit referral for help creating a safety plan.