ORGANISATIONS across the borough have thrown their support behind a campaign to put an end to domestic violence.

Cheshire Jets players all wore white ribbons at their weekend games along with Ellesmere Port Boxing Club members, while The DeeSign Deaf Choir and one of Chester’s giants supported Chester Women’s Aid who handed out ribbons in the city centre.

Chester University Student Union and Neston Community and Youth Centre are also among those raising the profile through locally arranged events.

Cheshire West and Chester Council and its partners are organising a series of high profile events to mark this year’s official White Ribbon Day on Friday.

A pink fire engine sporting a white ribbon, a giant washing line with 588 white T-shirts hung on it, and a one-mile walk are just some of the activities that will take place to encourage people to take a stand against domestic abuse.

The events mark the launch of the borough’s bid to gain White Ribbon status, demonstrating that domestic abuse won’t be tolerated in West Cheshire and that public, voluntary and community bodies are working together to raise the profile of the issue, change attitudes and encourage people in abusive relationships to seek help.

The focus this year will be on men in West Cheshire standing together to show that they don’t condone or accept domestic violence. A number of positive West Cheshire male role models will be getting involved to help reinforce this message and show their support for the campaign.

Councillor Lynn Riley, executive member for community and environment, said: “During 2010 and 2011 police recorded 1,749 incidents of domestic abuse across the borough. A total of 365 cases were classed as high or very high risk.

“With everyone working together, we can organise and involve communities in preventative activities and alter the attitudes that lead to violent behaviour.”

Events planned for White Ribbon Day include:

Civic Hall, Ellesmere Port, 2pm: Five hundred and eighty eight white T-shirts will be pegged on a giant washing line across Civic Square – one T-shirt for each of the 588 domestic abuse incidents reported to the police between April 2010 and March 2011 in the Ellesmere Port area. The fire engine will also be on the square.

Nicholas Street, Chester, 11am: catch up with the pink fire engine at the council’s HQ building, then join in with the one-mile walk through Chester city centre (leaving HQ at midday) to raise awareness about domestic abuse. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Eleanor Johnson, council leader Mike Jones, elected members, senior council officers and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are among those walking the mile.

As well as going along to these events and wearing a white ribbon on November 25, people are being encouraged to pledge their support for the campaign by visiting http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/makepledge

By clicking on Cheshire West and Chester on the map you can make your personal pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women.

Colleagues from the Local Domestic Abuse Partnership including local refuges, Cheshire Police and Health agencies are also undertaking activities to mark the day and all partners are ensuring that both women and men experiencing domestic abuse know where support is available both nationally and within the borough.

If you are worried about domestic abuse, the following support is available:

National helpline: 0808 2000 247

Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit: 01606 351375

Refuge & Community Support: 01244 314950 and 01606 871523

Men’s helpline: 0808 801 0327

Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender helpline: 0300 999 5428

To report domestic abuse happening to someone in your community visit: www.cheshire.police.uk.