A CHARITY in York has started a major fundraising drive to create a new refuge for survivors of sexual violence in the city.

Survive, which is based in Priory Street, was founded in 1990 and aims to support men, women and children who have suffered sexual abuse and violence.

Now, the charity says it wants to "do the impossible", and buy permanent facilities in York to help care for their clients.

Dani Wardman, chief officer, said Survive wants 12,000 people to donate £50 in order to raise more than half a million pounds and buy a property in the city.

Dani said: "We are the only specialist service here - we are unfunded by any local source. We do vital work with survivors, we do not force them into reporting, their right to choose will never be taken away from them.

"Because we are based in York we pay massive fees for unsuitable space that we have vastly outgrown. Renting a suitable size space is almost impossible because what we need isn't a new modern open plan office. What we need is an old town house or bed and breakfast with lots of different size rooms for lots of different activities."

The crowdfunder appeal is open until July 1, meaning the charity has eight weeks to try and raise £600,000. If it doesn't meet the target, nobody pays.

Dani said: "I know this is a big ask, I know I am asking the impossible but I also know that what I am asking for is needed so greatly. It should be something that is provided as a matter of course not fought for.

"Survivors show me every day that the impossible is possible by still being here, by surviving the awful, unimaginable things that happened when they were a child. We have been with them, supporting them for over 25 years, now they need your support too."

To donate, go to crowdfunder.co.uk/a-home-for-survivors-of-sexual-violence