Countdown host and Strictly star Rachel Riley is a lockdown hero – after helping a pal through heartbreaking domestic violence.
The 34 year-old new mum told that her eye had been caught amid the coronavirus crisis by domestic abuse charity Woman’s Trust, based in London where she lives with husband Pasha Kovalev and their infant daughter Maven.
The charity offers therapy for women who have experienced domestic abuse, something which “COVID has made more difficult.”
She came across the organisation after agreeing to front the 2020 National Lottery Awards which, for the first time this year, honours those who’ve really made a difference while the country was locked down.
Rachel came to the aid of her pal (Image: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
But thankfully, Rachel has been on hand to help organise and run digital wellbeing sessions, that operate alongside one-on-one counselling sessions.
“I’ve been supporting a friend who I didn’t know was in a situation of domestic violence for some years,” she told the Mirror.
“While I can’t go into specifics, I know COVID has made things more difficult. It’s been so hard for women in her situation, without direct access to support services.
Rachel worked with Woman’s Trust to provide help to victims of domestic violence (Image: SWNS)
“I saw a poster that said, ‘domestic abusers have always worked from home’, and that’s so true.”
She’s also been working on getting young people to reconnect with nature in a drive to avoid the “negativity” that can arise from too much exposure to social media.
It’s something she well understands after suffering horrific online abuse by disgusting trolls over her criticism of Jeremy Corbyn and his failure to tackle anti-semitism within the Labour Party during his time as leader.
Rachel herself has Jewish heritage, though religiously she has no faith.
(Image: Rachel Riley/Twitter)
Speaking last year, she said: “No one should have to jeopardise their safety or their careers speaking out against antisemitism.
“We need to remember our history.”
And she’s faced her own worries during lockdown, concerned about her elderly parents’ health.
Rachel told Metro : “I can’t see my mum, and my dad has got a couple of health conditions.
“We think my mum had coronavirus in the early stages as well, but fingers crossed we will be able to see her soon and she can give the baby a squish.”
Rachel and Pasha welcomed baby Maven in December last year.
Nominate your Lotto hero
Thanks to national Lottery players, around £30million a week is funding good causes.
To nominate someone for a 2020 national Lottery award simply complete an entry form at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.
Remember all nominees must work or act for a national Lottery- funded organisation or have received national Lottery funding. Entries must be received by midnight on August 19, 2020.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
