A domestic abuse survivor from Derry has raised £6,300 for Foyle Women’s Aid following a TikTok campaign inspired by an online troll.
Alannah Kerrigan, a mother of three, launched the campaign after a video she posted responding to a “nasty comment” went viral.
The support she received inspired her to use the platform to raise money and awareness for the charity.
To earn money from video views on TikTok, users must have at least 10,000 followers to qualify for the Creator Rewards Program. Once eligible, content posted on that account can be monetised.
The 33-year-old shared her goal to reach that milestone and quickly reached 10,000 followers.
She raised £600 across April, May and June through video views alone.
“I was blown away by the support I got. It was amazing that all these people got behind it, and it really showed how we can use social media for something positive.
“For the most part, there is a really supportive community on TikTok”.
Alannah felt inspired to raise more money alongside her TikTok earnings.
She viewed the support as an opportunity to create and organise events that bring together survivors to “share stories and focus on healing and wellbeing.”
“When I started to make a bit of money from TikTok, I had the idea to of getting people together for some in-person events.
“I started planning events to go alongside the initial fundraising.
“I put up a video one day to see if any businesses wanted to get involved with the events. So many wanted to get involved and they offered raffle prizes.”
Most recently, with the help of friends and local businesses, Alannah organised a wellness themed event which raised £3500.
“We hosted 100 women at Ballyness Resort. I shared online that I was organising the event, and I was inundated with support and offers from businesses, practitioners and wellness people.
“We sold 15 pay-it-forward tickets so supporters who aren’t local could buy a ticket for a woman using Women’s Aid services. It was such a selfless thing for people to do.”
Alannah Kerrigan organised a wellness themed event which raised £3500 in total. PIC: @micam.photography
At 18 years old, Alannah got into a relationship that became abusive and ended when she was violently attacked by her partner.
“At the time, I had just moved to Manchester for university. I got into a relationship quite quickly that became toxic, and I was with him for three years.
“It was abusive, but I didn’t realise it at the time.
“When I was 21, I moved to London and I was violently attacked by my then partner. That ended the relationship.”
She added: “We went to court because he assaulted me, and it was the victim support gave me a flyer that explained the cycle of abuse, and I thought, that sounds like me.
“I didn’t know how to support myself or get through.
Women’s Aid helped her to “rebuild” her life after she experienced what she describes as a “mental breakdown”.
“About three years later, I decided to address the problems I faced because of it. I had suppressed it before that.
“I had a mental breakdown, and I came home. I went to counselling in Derry, and they suggested Women’s Aid.
“My counsellor suggested that I spoke to the charity. At the time, I thought they couldn’t help me.
“I had in my mind what it looked and felt like to be a victim of domestic abuse, and I didn’t fit that stereotype. But I was so glad they could help.
“I attended a weekly Women’s Aid course called the ‘Journey to Freedom’. You’re there to learn about abuse, the psychology- why it happens, how it happens, and how to heal.”
She added: “I remember looking around and noticing all the women in that room. We were all so different- our backgrounds, circumstances, life experience.
“But I saw such beautiful, funny, and kind women and they didn’t deserve what happened to them.
“Whenever you look at other people and feel that compassion for someone else, you’re able to realise that you deserve that self-compassion too.
“For a long time, I blamed myself. I thought what happened to me was my fault, or avoidable. Being on that course made me realise it wasn’t my fault.”
Alannah hopes that through sharing her story, she can show that “things can get better”.
“I now have a really nice life. I have three beautiful young children and a husband.
“There was a time I never thought I’d experience happiness. So they really helped me feel that and find contentment in my life.
You can donate to the fundraiser here: Alannah Kerrigan is fundraising for Foyle Women’s Aid