Ruby Wax calls for a million mobiles

Funny woman Ruby Wax is backing a national campaign to help stop domestic violence in the home by urging people to dig out the million used mobile phones that could be lying around their homes.

To coincide with International Women’s Day (Monday 8 March), Ruby is urging women and men around the country to do something useful with their old mobile phones and recycle them at any The Body Shop store across the country.

And all funds raised are going to Refuge, the charity dedicated to helping women and children affected by domestic violence.

Research from The Body Shop shows that near to a million mobile phone handsets may simply have been dumped in a drawer or thrown in a bin this year alone.

And almost 19 million Britons – that’s 42 per cent of the adult population – say they personally know someone who has suffered at the hands of a violent partner.

Ruby Wax, long running supporter of domestic violence charity Refuge, said: “Two women in England and Wales die every week because of domestic violence. But today, International Women’s Day, is a day when everyone can support the thousands of women experiencing domestic violence.

“There could be millions of old mobiles lying around in people’s houses in the UK. But by recycling your mobile at any of the 300 The Body Shop stores around the country you can raise £2.75 for Refuge and help the charity provide vital life-saving services to women and children who live with domestic violence every day of their lives.”

Founder of The Body Shop, Dame Anita Roddick, said: “International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate what it means to be a woman. But for women suffering domestic violence, it’s just another day when they will receive a black eye or broken bone.

“Today, we’re urging not only women, but all Britons, to bring their old phones into their nearest The Body Shop store and help our fight against violence in the home.”

The Body Shop and Refuge campaign is raising much needed funds to help victims by providing a range of support services including a website offering advice.