![\"Matthew](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/MHG4MVPYURGZRNTCQOS23Y6LBM.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Shannon](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/W27WQT6M45PRXN4LZS53TYA33U.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe 33-year-old shared her goal to reach that milestone and quickly reached 10,000 followers. <\/p>\n
She raised \u00a3600 across April, May and June through video views alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the most part, there is a really supportive community on TikTok\u201d. <\/p>\n
Alannah felt inspired to raise more money alongside her TikTok earnings.<\/p>\n
She viewed the support as an opportunity to create and organise events that bring together survivors to \u201cshare stories and focus on healing and wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I started to make a bit of money from TikTok, I had the idea to of getting people together for some in-person events. <\/p>\n
\u201cI started planning events to go alongside the initial fundraising. <\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
Most recently, with the help of friends and local businesses, Alannah organised a wellness themed event which raised \u00a33500. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe sold 15 pay-it-forward tickets so supporters who aren\u2019t local could buy a ticket for a woman using Women\u2019s Aid services. It was such a selfless thing for people to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Alannah](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FQ3A77TINRDDTH7DAQAJLBQRIY.jpg\")
Alannah Kerrigan organised a wellness themed event which raised \u00a33500 in total. PIC: @micam.photography <\/p>\n
At 18 years old, Alannah got into a relationship that became abusive and ended when she was violently attacked by her partner.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was abusive, but I didn\u2019t realise it at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was 21, I moved to London and I was violently attacked by my then partner. That ended the relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know how to support myself or get through. <\/p>\n
Women\u2019s Aid helped her to \u201crebuild\u201d her life after she experienced what she describes as a \u201cmental breakdown\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cAbout three years later, I decided to address the problems I faced because of it. I had suppressed it before that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a mental breakdown, and I came home. I went to counselling in Derry, and they suggested Women\u2019s Aid.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy counsellor suggested that I spoke to the charity. At the time, I thought they couldn\u2019t help me. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had in my mind what it looked and felt like to be a victim of domestic abuse, and I didn\u2019t fit that stereotype. But I was so glad they could help.<\/p>\n
\u201cI attended a weekly Women\u2019s Aid course called the \u2018Journey to Freedom\u2019. You\u2019re there to learn about abuse, the psychology- why it happens, how it happens, and how to heal.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cI remember looking around and noticing all the women in that room. We were all so different- our backgrounds, circumstances, life experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I saw such beautiful, funny, and kind women and they didn\u2019t deserve what happened to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever you look at other people and feel that compassion for someone else, you\u2019re able to realise that you deserve that self-compassion too.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 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\u2019t my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alannah hopes that through sharing her story, she can show that \u201cthings can get better\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cI now have a really nice life. I have three beautiful young children and a husband. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a time I never thought I\u2019d experience happiness. So they really helped me feel that and find contentment in my life.<\/p>\n