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Lucy's story

When Lucy's husband's business collapsed during the financial crash a few years ago, they found themselves in debt overnight. "At least we have each other, I thought. We'll get through it somehow. But then I came home from work one evening and my husband had gone." Lucy says.

Listen to Lucy talking about her story and our new Rebuilding Shattered Lives campaign on BBC Radio 4.

After suffering a breakdown and even trying to take her own life, Lucy left hospital finding herself homeless, vulnerable and terrified. She spent 12 months in emergency housing receiving 24 hour care and treatment for mental and physical health issues.

Lucy now lives at St Mungo's women's project in Camden where she is a keen gardener with Putting Down Roots, St Mungo's gardening programme, a member of St Mungo's client involvement group Outside In and has recently completed a three year degree.

 "I'm part of a great community of women who support each other. Many of us have been sexually abused and it's so important to put women in an environment such as this where they can thrive not just survive."

St Mungo's is raising awareness of the needs of vulnerable women during Action Week 2012 - calling for big improvements in the way homeless women are treated. Please do give all you can to help us provide a safe environment, counselling and the medical support needed to get homeless women back on their feet.

Lucy took part in a 3 mile sponsored walk around St James's Park on 22 June with other members of St Mungo's Outside In women's group, to show her support this campaign. You can still sponsor Lucy's Walk for Women.