A grieving mother who set-up a domestic abuse charity in her daughter’s name said she feels “violated” after it was stolen from twice in six months. Jennifer McDermott, who set up the charity in honour of her daughter Cassandra, says the blow will leave the charity “struggling.”
Cassandra McDermott was murdered by her partner Mario Celaire in 2001, when she was 19-years-old. Celarie was originally acquitted of the murder, but later convicted after he severely beat another woman.
He became the first person previously cleared by a jury to be convicted under new “double jeopardy” rules. In July 2009, he was jailed for a minimum of 23 years.
The charity van makes it clear what they do
(Image: Jennifer McDermott)
Now, 16 years on, Norbury-based charity, The Cassandra Centre, which Ms McDermott set up to protect and support victims of domestic violence, has been targeted by thieves twice in six months.
“I feel violated by what has happened because every charity nowadays is struggling and we don’t have extra money put aside for these things when they happen,” said Ms McDermott.
“It’s going to put a huge strain on us because we’re not funded by the government.”
Ms McDermott first noticed that the charity van’s spare wheel had been stolen on December 21. While this may not sound like a grand theft auto, the last time this was stolen the charity had to pay around £300.
The van is regularly used by the Cassandra Centre to help run their lunch club for the elderly and to help with their work with children who have special needs. The van has large signs on it which read: “Cassandra Centre: Empowering women and young people to break free from abuse.”
While the first incident was reported to community police, this second incident has not been reported. Ms McDermott felt as though it was not a big enough theft to be taken seriously.
The spare wheel was kept underneath the van
(Image: Jennifer McDermott)
“I feel so bad because we work so hard to keep this charity going for women and you feel so violated when these things happen,” she said.
“It’s written on the van what we do – we’re a charity.”
The Cassandra Centre was founded in 2007 and one of its main activities is providing counselling to people from across London who have experienced abuse. After her daughter’s death, Ms McDermott noticed that there wasn’t much provision for young women who were victims of domestic violence.
“The women we work with for violence against women and girls – we provide support services and therapeutic services for them assisting them to leave and develop a safer life, leave the abuse and develop a safer life and find accommodation for them,” she said.
Anyone who would like to donate to the Cassandra Centre, or find out more about them can visit their website .
Got a story? Please get in touch at katherine.gray@reachplc.com
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