The University of Lincoln’s annual Grace’s Week in memory of the former student murdered by a man she met on a date highlights how women’s safety is still a big issue, according to one of the events organisers.
Grace’s week was set up in memory of former University of Lincoln student Grace Millane, who was murdered in New Zealand on a backpacking trip in New Zealand in 2018. Grace studied Advertising and Marketing at the University of Lincoln and was a member of the hockey club. Each year the university’s sports clubs run a week of events to raise money for three charities supporting families of missing people and victims of violence
This year the week raised nearly £900 and has raised thousands of pounds since it started.
Gareth Hunter, president of the University of Lincoln Hockey club, of which Grace was a part, said the event was not only about remembering Grace but the image of her, adding that she was a ray of sunshine and always had a smile on her face.
He says the event serves to check up on the wellbeing of students, but also to educate on violence against women and girls.
“It’s very much a wellbeing thing but also an educational thing. It’s really important for us, it’s an education thing but a wake up call. Cases like Grace don’t happen often. We need to educate boys and girls; this thing is real. We all understand the world we live in.”
City of Lincoln Council Leader Ric Metcalfe says this and other events, such as the Reclaim the Night march, shows women’s safety is still a big issue and that the council are working to support women with initiatives to improve their safety in Lincoln.
He said “It’s been uppermost in our minds for a long time because obviously we take public safety of everyone, particularly people who may be more vulnerable than others. That does include women example going home at night after being out in the city centre, so we’ve been very mindful of this for some years.”
“It’s the sort of issue we’ve taken very seriously.”
To find out more or donate click here: Hockey Society is fundraising for University of Lincoln SU (justgiving.com)