'This is for women everywhere' Walking Lancashire coastline in memory of domestic abuse victim Kiena Dawes

What started as an wonderful idea to turn Lancashire mum’s Kiena Dawes’ birthday into something positive saw people join together yesterday for a 23km ride, walk or run to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Kiena Dawes took her own life in 2022 after suffering years of domestic and physical abuse at the hands of her former partner Ryan Wellings.

Her devoted brother Kynan Dawes decided this was the year to make her birthday shine in a positive way and organised the big event in her memory.

And yesterday, family, friends and people who simply wanted to show their support, walked the length of the Fylde Coast, starting in Fleetwood for Women’s Aid.

It was also to push Kiena’s Law - a petition calling on the government to create a specific criminal offence of domestic abuse–related suicide.

Kynan said: “This is for women everywhere, to try and make a difference, raise awareness for domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour and the lasting effects.

“It’s also for people to see the petition online and maybe scroll past, we all do it but with this one you would be making difference not just for one person but for millions of people. Make a change.”

FROM HER MUM

Speaking a few weeks ago, Kiena’;s mum Angela said: “I’m going to speak from my heart. My girl didn’t want to die. My girl wanted to live. But she lived in fear.

“We’ve lost a beautiful, very special, kind young girl who’s missed so much, not just by me but by so many other people.

“Every day I look into that little girl’s eyes, her baby, and I just wish that her mummy was here for her, and she’s not. Kiena had a right to live. She wasn’t protected by the people that she should have been protected by.

“She did reach out over and over again, and I was proud of her for that. But she was scared.”