As she prepares to travel to Nepal this week, Lucy McAuley tells us about #BaseCamp4Bakhita — a campaign to raise awareness and funds for Caritas Bakhita House by trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a Regional Safeguarding Lead in the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team — I work with the Anglican Dioceses of London, Southwark, Canterbury, Rochester, and Europe to ensure the delivery of effective, consistent, and trauma-informed safeguarding services. My passion is combatting Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), which I try to do in my day-to-day work, through awareness raising, and by raising funds through campaigns or events; the latest being my hair-brained idea to raise funds for Caritas Bakhita House by trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal!
Why did you decide to support Caritas Bakhita House?
My professional background is primarily as a Detective within the Metropolitan Police Service, where half of my career focussed on safeguarding in terms of child abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and position of trust abuse. I also have some experience in faith-based safeguarding, and I came to my current role directly from the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA), where I worked with the Diocese of Westminster and other Catholic dioceses and religious life groups. It was through my work at the CSSA that I was lucky enough to be able to visit Caritas Bakhita House and see the amazing work that the team does to support survivors of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.
As a Police Officer, I had seen firsthand the damage that this type of exploitation causes, so I cannot stress how valuable Caritas Bakhita House’s trauma-informed approach is. While working in the statutory sector, I became increasingly aware of survivors being treated as statistics, and let down in terms of the support that they needed and deserved. I believe that Caritas Bakhita House’s approach is the antithesis of this, and should serve as a model for how to provide a person-centred, trauma-informed response to women who have been harmed by these forms of VAWG. I was also moved by the dedication of their team and the welcoming atmosphere of the safe house; amid the frequent demonisation of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the current political climate, I am grateful that Caritas Bakhita House provides such high-quality support to women from all over the globe.
I was aware that Caritas Bakhita House depends entirely on donations to continue their good work, and I was determined to help raise funds for them. I have become an avid trekker, and a friend convinced me to book a group trek to Everest Base Camp; it was then that I realised this would be a perfect opportunity to support Caritas Bakhita House by fundraising and raising awareness about their work.
How come you chose to raise funds in this way?
I got into trekking quite late in life, and have gradually got braver about where I go, how far I walk, and how high I climb! I love trekking as it gives me the opportunity to be in nature, have time to think, and meet amazing people along the way; it’s a good antidote to some of the challenges of working in safeguarding and the turmoil that we see across the world. I have done some fundraising for short treks within the UK, but I felt that the trek to Everest Base Camp was a perfect fit for Caritas Bakhita House: as I face 12 challenging days of trekking at a high altitude, I will often think of the difficult journeys faced by women who have been trafficked, enslaved and exploited.
The timing of this trek is also significant, as it leads up to White Ribbon Day 2025 in November. The White Ribbon Campaign aims to raise awareness about, challenge and eliminate VAWG. I am part of an amazing team from across the National Church Institutions that supports the campaign’s aims via a Staff Network, communications, and events. I hope that my trek inspires more people to join the White Ribbon Campaign as Ambassadors and Champions, and to make their own contribution, however small, to ending VAWG.
I hope that you will consider sponsoring me as I go to #BaseCamp4Bakhita; your donation will help Caritas Bakhita House to support women on their own journey of freedom to live independent, fulfilling lives.
Thank you so much Lucy, all the best for your trip!
Caritas Bakhita House was delighted to hear of Lucy’s plans. Karen Anstiss, Head of Caritas Bakhita House, commented:
For the women who walk through our doors, the road to recovery often feels like climbing a mountain. Contributions like Lucy’s remind us that our guests’ unseen milestones are supported by many people who share our mission, and we are incredibly grateful for every one of them. Our staff, guests and volunteers will all be rooting for Lucy as she undertakes this impressive hike.
