Warwick District Councillor Becky Davidson reached the end of her awe-inspiring 30-week fundraiser to mark Safeline’s 30th anniversary on the 30th July 2024. Her fundraiser was not just a commemoration; it was also an opportunity to transform lives and empower survivors of sexual abuse and rape. 30 weeks on since she started her challenges, Becky shares her reflections.
1st January 2024 began the journey of my 30 challenges in 30 weeks for Safeline’s 30th anniversary. For those who don’t know, this was my grand fundraising scheme to celebrate Safeline’s birthday. A few months before this began, I sat in one of Safeline’s art therapy rooms, with the incredible Safeline fundraising team, where we discussed what fundraising challenge I could get involved in; ‘maybe you could do a zipline with the Mayor?’ a great idea for sure, however we just knew it had to be bigger.
Thus the idea of 30 challenges was born. “What about if I do a new challenge every single week? That way people can choose ones to sponsor that they particularly find inspiring”. Ideas were being sprouted out left right and centre. Safeline Development Co-ordinator, Cora-Laine Moynihan, chimes in “what about dressing as a banana every day for a week?”
“Why a banana, Cora?”
“Well…I have a banana costume to hand…”
So great, we made that the first challenge and agreed Cora would join me. Then the idea to have different people join me on different challenges was born – a fantastic idea that not only increased the funding and awareness, but boosted my morale and kept me determined.
Rachael Stevens (Safeline Development Co-Ordinator), the mad woman, suggested a Safeline tattoo. Head of Development, Emma Maclellan, and Cora looked on in horror. “I will if you join me.”
“Alright,” Rachael replied. Neither of us knowing if the other was being factious. Six months on people are telling me not to do it. You made your point, you’ve raised your money, that’s enough now. But I am no quitter and I am now the proud owner of a very permanent tattoo of the Safeline slogan ‘Believe in you’.
But this slogan became my support in every challenge. We joked ‘Safeline believe in you’ every time I did a new outrageous challenge, like my 30km paddleboard with the Mayor of Warwick that took me 10 hours. It was a joke because we knew the slogan was meant to say we believe in victims of abuse, not for me doing outrageous stuff. However, they did believe in me and my chaotic weeks, just like I believed in the cause.
I wear this tattoo with pride, knowing that my challenges made a difference to people’s lives. I also get to share this tattoo with someone I admire, Rachael, with a story so powerful that she uses to transform the lives of others. Safeline has a special place in my heart, as I sadly have a few friends that have used their services over the years, and they have nothing but gratitude for the support they received.
I’m sat in a council meeting dressed as a banana, again
What many won’t know is I separated from my husband 3 weeks before these challenges began. I was completely heartbroken, devasted and it was the most painful experience of my whole life. My first day back at work, after weeks of crying myself to sleep, I had to show up as a banana. Now, there is never a ‘right time’ to dress as a banana to work, but this certainly was the worst time for me.
Three days later I’m sat in a council meeting dressed as a banana, again, struggling to function as a human, let alone drawing this much attention to myself. Yet, the Safeline team cheered me on and supported me the whole way. Our banana dance moves on social media caught the attention of BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire, the challenges got momentum. We were privileged to have John Lord Bird, founder of the Big Issue, join me for my karaoke challenge and then write a feature for the Big Issue.
So, what have I learnt? Well, I’ve learnt I am capable of absolutely anything.
I can sleep in a freezing cold, haunted dungeon overnight, even though I have extreme arachnophobia.
I can perform a Morris dance in front of people that I had only practiced once before.
I can dress up in drag and give the performance of a lifetime.
I can go up 30m in a fireman’s ladder even if I cried in fear the whole time.
I can cry myself to sleep and head to work the next day as a banana.
I can rely on people in my community to support, encourage and get involved in my challenges so I don’t have to face them alone.
I can make best friends with my banana sister as we bonded that week and she then showed up for me at every single challenge (I love you, Cora).
But I learnt that so can you – I am not a super human, I am not special. I wouldn’t have been able to do these challenges without the support of others. The Leam Boat Centre who safely let me do the paddleboarding, Murphys bar who let me host karaoke, Ikigai who let me make and sell candles and many many more.
I have had people come up to me and say that I inspired them. By facing these adventures, trying new things and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, they wanted to do the same. So, I hope if you’re reading this you feel inspired to try something new this week. Maybe something you’ve always wanted to do or maybe something you have never considered. The sense of pride and achievement you get after successfully completing a challenge is life-changing.
My 30 weeks may have come to an end, but my takeaway from all of this is to never stop challenging myself.
Rebecca Davidson and her team raised £9,591, which will support survivors of sexual abuse who reach out to our services.
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