A record number of Brisbaneites spoke with there feet overnight supporting an end to domestic violence. Their walking marathon is called Darkness to Daylight. It’s 110 kilometres long, one kilometre for each person who will die every year as a result of violence in the home.

Lucy Ross reports.

TRANSCRIPT

They finished at South Bank early this morning looking a little worse for wear, but staying awake paid dividends.

Four years ago less than 100 people took the challenge, this year 1,500 people ran and walked their way around a 10km course.

They raised more than $100,000 to help bring domestic violence victims out of the darkness and into the daylight.

Jacque Lachmund, Australia’s CEO Challenge: “This race means that we’re breaking that silence, it means we’re getting through the barriers of talking about domestic violence and you know, bringing a community together.”

There was only one rule, the lead-runner had to hold a candle symbolising hope that the people living with domestic violence would speak up and get the support that seems so out of reach.

Every year in Australia, approximately 110 women, children and men die because of domestic and family violence, this run symbolises one kilometre for each life that is lost.

Glenala State High School students had an early start, on foot before dawn.

Anne Lawson, Glenala State High School: “Like in every community, our community does have instances of domestic violence, so I guess it’s being able to say at a young age that it’s not on and it’s never on.”

Money raised in this year’s Darkness to Daylight Challenge will go towards training programs, workplaces and collaborating with other services in the community.

Lucy Ross, QUT News.