Lancashire FA has teamed up with Progress Housing Group and its charitable arm Key Unlocking Futures to support White Ribbon Day today.

White Ribbon Day, a national campaign which aims to change attitudes and raise awareness of domestic abuse, is being marked today and has fallen on the same week as the start of the FIFA men’s World Cup.

The day provides a high-profile opportunity to encourage men and the wider community to support #TheGoal of ending gender-based violence.

The White Ribbon Campaign was highlighted at the Lancashire Red Rose Awards last night which celebrated the extraordinary collective and individual accomplishments within Lancashire’s grassroots football community.

Liz Stanton and Tammy Bradley from Key Unlocking Futures which manages women’s refuges across the county, were invited to raise awareness during the event by highlighting what the campaign stands for and how people can support the initiative.

They also presented the award for Project of the Year to the winner and runner-up of the category.

Lancashire FA hosted a raffle where guests could win an official Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Football and t-shirt which raised a massive £437 with all funds going to the White Ribbon Campaign.

While staff and guests in attendance stood united with the campaign throughout the night by wearing white ribbons and posters were dotted around the room for people to find out more.

Simon Gerrard, Lancashire FA CEO said: “Football has the power to change behaviour and really make a difference and we have joined forces with Project Housing Group and Key Unlocking Futures to support this initiative in conjunction with our Lancashire FA Red Rose Awards, which took place last night on the eve of White Ribbon Day.

“By raising awareness among our football audience across Lancashire, we can play a small part in helping those in need and signposting them to the support available.”

Jacqui De-Rose, Group Chief Executive of Progress Housing Group: "We all need to stand together against violence towards women and girls, so on behalf of Progress Housing Group and our subsidiary charity, Key Unlocking Futures, I'm really grateful to Lancashire Football Association, South Ribble and Chorley Borough Councils for working with us.

“This year, White Ribbon Day is focusing on the attitudes and behaviours men and boys can adopt to help stop violence and abusive behaviour towards women and girls. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any gender, background or age, and support is available for everyone. However, insight shows that most victims are women and supporting national campaigns such as White Ribbon Day is an important part of our wider awareness-raising work to make domestic abuse everyone's business and highlight how people can get help."

Liz Stanton, Refuges Manager at Key Unlocking Futures: “This year the white ribbon campaign coincides with the world cup, and sadly reports of violence towards women tends to go up during this time.  So, it is wonderful that the LFA have joined forces with us to highlight the campaign and work with us to spread the message that violence towards women and girls is never acceptable.”