Domestic violence survivors show strength with obstacle course

Four mothers passionate about supporting other women tackle 14-hour obstacle course.

TOUGH: Acacia Harvison, Helen Denton, Jade Pegrum and Lacey Burns will tackle a 14 hour obstacle course for charity.

EXPERIENCING heartbreaking domestic violence and the challenge of motherhood inspired four women to tackle a 14-hour symbolic obstacle course.

Acacia Harvison, Jade Pegrum, Helen Denton and Lacey Burns will run a 3.5km obstacle course, known as the Grindstone challenge, continuously throughout Friday night to raise money for Lily House.

Farm Gym owner Acacia Harvison experienced domestic violence as a child and said supporting Lily House gave her an opportunity to help mothers and children in similar situations.

"It is really important that women support women, but deep down the reason this is so important to me is that if you help the mothers the children will have safe homes,"

"I had a very challenging upbringing and it caused a lot of issues down the track and I'm a very strong and brave woman now, but ultimately if we can help the women who have children find their courage to reach out then they can not only have a safe home for themselves but also a safe home for their children.

"When they stay in situations or they don't know about support is when their children suffer, and it causes a lot of issues as young adults that they don't really understand until later on in life."

Mrs Harvison said running into a new day as a strong group of women will represent how females can support each other through dark times.

"I think as women we forget how courageous, amazing and strong we are, but when we band together, we can bounce off each other to bring out the best of each other," she said.

"And being together reminds us that it is really incredible and really important to share our stories and vulnerabilities and relate to other people in our lives because that is the only way we can heal."

The Lily House is a women's accommodation centre that was opened in May 2008 in response to a need for temporary housing for women during a period of readjustment in their life.

The charity provides love and support needed to overcome hard times and rebuild lives and families.

Ms Pegrum said out of the 17 obstacles on the track the monkey bars would be the most difficult.

"I think it's going to be raining, so the monkey bars will be very slippery and our hands get hammered by that," she said.

"But it isn't about going out there an hating the experience, it's about doing it and being that metaphor for the Lily House and all of those women."

Being childhood friends Ms Denton said the group would support each other throughout the 14 hours.

"We've been mates since school, so we have gone through significant life events together and there has been a lot of lows but also highs," she said.

"We are really well equipped to take care of each other in that regard."

Spectators can help the group reach their $4000 target by buying a $25 ticket to complete one lap of the course.

To donate visit: gf.me/u/xbcdvv