Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sir Mohamed Mansour donates to The Independent’s campaign to build safe refuges for domestic abuse survivors

Businessman ‘proud’ to support Brick by Brick appeal as more than £500,000 in donations floods in for women and children fleeing abusive partners

Tara Cobham
Tuesday 19 November 2024 14:46 EST
The first safe house takes shape

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir Mohamed Mansour has become the latest generous donor to give to The Independent’s campaign to build safe refuges for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

The chairman of Man Capital and a former Tory treasurer said he was “proud” to support this newspaper’s Brick by Brick appeal and added that “no women or children should feel unsafe in their homes”.

The Independent has partnered with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge to raise money to create two secure havens for domestic abuse survivors, including women, their children and any pets. Each £15 donation buys a brick in the safe homes.

More than £500,000 has flooded in so far, surpassing the initial £300,000 target thanks to generous donations from readers – including the Queen, prime minister Keir Starmer and chief executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard.

The campaign began with the aim of creating one safe home, which is already being built, but following the generosity of all who have donated, plans are now underway for a second.

Be a brick, buy a brick and donate here or text BRICK to 70560 to donate £15

The chairman of Man Capital said he was ‘proud’ to support to this newspaper’s Brick by Brick appeal
The chairman of Man Capital said he was ‘proud’ to support to this newspaper’s Brick by Brick appeal (supplied)

As he became the latest to back the appeal, Sir Mohamed – a philanthropist who has donated millions to developing football academies in Ghana, Egypt and Denmark – said: “No women or children should feel unsafe in their homes.

“For that reason alone, I am proud to support and want to congratulate The Independent for their Brick by Brick campaign, which promises to help so many women and children escape from domestic abuse and rebuild their lives. To build a permanent sanctuary with a secure house is a great legacy."

The businessman’s support comes after Camilla, a longtime supporter of women escaping abusive partners, personally backed the Brick by Brick appeal.

Refuge chair Hetti Barkworth-Nanton and Independent editor-in-chief Geordie Greig visit the site of the new building
Refuge chair Hetti Barkworth-Nanton and Independent editor-in-chief Geordie Greig visit the site of the new building (The Independent)

An adviser to the monarch said she would “take a keen interest as the plans evolve” and described such safe spaces as “vital in providing a lifeline to those at their lowest ebb”.

Sir Keir also gave his personal backing to the campaign, vowing that he and his cabinet would donate. “I don’t only support the campaign, but I want the campaign to go on and get bigger,” he said in an interview with The Independent.

Giving her support to the appeal, Ms Pritchard highlighted the prevalence of domestic abuse faced by health staff in the UK as she condemned the “abhorrent behaviour across society”.

Queen Camilla, a longtime supporter of women escaping abusive partners, personally backed the Brick by Brick appeal
Queen Camilla, a longtime supporter of women escaping abusive partners, personally backed the Brick by Brick appeal (Getty)

Thousands of women across the UK face danger in their own homes, but one woman is turned away every two hours from a refuge because of a lack of space or capacity.

With the campaign aiming to help change this, Dame Joanna Lumley appealed to the nation to “be a brick and buy a brick” as she lent her backing too.

Among the celebrities who have also supported the campaign are Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Patrick Stewart, Cherie Blair, Olivia Colman, David Morrissey and Dermot O’Leary.

Sir Keir Starmer also gave his personal backing to the campaign, vowing that he and his cabinet would donate
Sir Keir Starmer also gave his personal backing to the campaign, vowing that he and his cabinet would donate (The Independent)

Please donate now to the Brick by Brick campaign, launched by The Independent and charity Refuge, to help raise £300,000, or more, to build safe spaces for women where they can escape domestic abuse, rebuild their lives and make a new future. Text BRICK to 70560 to donate £15.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, you can contact Refuge’s national domestic abuse helpline for free, confidential support at 0808 2000 247.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in