The Caterham Rotary Club has joined forces with the Surrey Gift Appeal to support women who are living in local refuges this Christmas.

The Surrey Gift Appeal, which is run by a group of women from Caterham and Warlingham, supports women affected by domestic abuse through the giving of Christmas gifts donated by local people. This year it has received backing from community group, the Caterham Rotary Club, which will allow it to further extend its support across the county.

Now in its third year, the Surrey Gift Appeal was established especially to support women affected by domestic abuse through the Reigate and Banstead's Women's Aid refuge and ESDAS (East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services). Last year it was able to support every refuge space in the county including both the local provision and the refuges located in North West and South West Surrey.

Caterham Rotarian Roger Easter commented “We are very pleased to be able to support The Surrey Gift Appeal this year. We recognise that the stress and anxiety caused to individuals as a result of domestic abuse cannot be under estimated. Our donation to this appeal will enable the organisers to purchase further gifts which will go someway to making a difference to those who have suffered abuse from their partners.”

Running from now, right through the Christmas period, the appeal is looking for donations of toiletries, cosmetics, small luxury items such as chocolates, and other gift items. Once collected, they will be wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas to refuges and an outreach service across Surrey. Late donations can also be made right up to the 4th January as a further drop off will be arranged.

Sara Willcocks, who runs the appeal, said: "Many women living in fear of domestic violence and abuse, suffer in silence and aren't able to reach out. Christmas can be an especially difficult time. The Christmas Gift Appeal is our way of letting them know that people care, and making sure they get a little treat at Christmas too. It is fantastic that the Caterham Rotary Club has joined us in supporting this cause and we’re incredibly grateful for their involvement.

"Between now and Christmas we're looking for donations from the wider East Surrey community. The items we're collecting need to be new, but they might be things that they already have, or they could just add a small item to their weekly shop. It could be one thing or a whole gift bag or box full. Either way, they will all be gratefully received."

Charlotte, the Reigate and Banstead refuge manager, said: "As a small charity we really rely on the support from the local community. All of the families that live in the refuge have fled their homes, leaving behind all of their possessions. Anything that is donated goes straight to the families, who are incredibly grateful for your generosity."

There are three refuge providers in Surrey, providing a desperately needed home and safe haven to women fleeing domestic violence at five different refuge locations. Together they have spaces for 30 women, and their children, at any one time.

One in four women and one in six men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime – many of these on a number of occasions. On average, two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.

Domestic abuse is not just physical; it can be emotional/psychological, sexual, financial, harassment, threats and verbal. It is under reported and may be trivialised by both those perpetrating the abuse and those experiencing it. It’s rarely a one-off event, but tends to escalate in frequency and severity over time.