Refuge announces Nikita Kanda as Ambassador and a face of Refuge’s Summer Escape Appeal

BBC broadcaster Nikita Kanda has joined charity Refuge as an ambassador to shine a light on the charity’s life-saving work supporting survivors of domestic abuse and is one of the faces of Refuge’s Summer Escape Appeal. 

Nikita Kanda has hosted the prestigious Breakfast Show on BBC Asian Network since July 2022 and has won awards for her television and radio presenting work.  Recently nominated for Presenter of the Year at the Asian Media Awards, Nikita has regularly fronted reports on BBC1’s The One Show, presented an episode of the longest-running children’s TV show Blue Peter and graced television screens in 2023 competing in Strictly Come Dancing. 

Nikita’s first project with Refuge will be supporting their Summer Escape appeal, which highlights the rise in contacts that the charity experiences over the summer months. In August alone Refuge expect over 18,000 people to turn to them for help. In a video produced to support the appeal, Nikita and Michelle, a domestic abuse survivor supported by Refuge share their experiences.  

Full chat here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq4b8HhHKPQ

Shorter clip of interview here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PFRI1sEiYCs 

Speaking about becoming an Ambassador for Refuge, Nikita said: 

“I’m extremely pleased to announce I’ll be working with Refuge on a cause that is so close to my heart. I know personally the impact domestic abuse can have on families and it’s so important to me to be able to use my voice and reach to talk about this issue. I’m passionate about letting women and children who may be experiencing abuse know they are not alone and to be part of this movement that is campaigning for a future in which domestic abuse is not tolerated.” 

Refuge’s Chair of Trustees, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, said:   

“We are thrilled to welcome Nikita to our brilliant team of celebrity supporters. Nikita’s voice will be familiar to the thousands of listeners who tune in to BBC Asian Network each morning to hear her play anthems on the Breakfast show and we are so glad she is joining us in speaking loudly about an issue which has been silenced for too long. At Refuge we want survivors of domestic abuse to know they are not alone, and we are so grateful to those helping spread this message to shed some light on the help and support available.”