An 80-mile fundraising and awareness walk will finish in Glossop, as campaigners call for changes to the law around domestic abuse and emergency intervention.
From 29th April to 2nd May, Jonathan Haggerty and a group of supporters will walk from Catterick Garrison to Glossop Cemetery, to highlight the vital campaign for “Danielle’s Law”, whilst also raising money for Women’s Aid.
The proposed law aims to introduce a legal duty of care requiring people to seek help when someone is in life-threatening danger - something Jonathan says is currently missing from UK legislation.
The walk is deeply personal for Jonathan - his sister Danielle died in March 2023 following a domestic incident. She was left alone in a locked property after a violent altercation, and later died from asphyxiation.
Jonathan says that under current law, no offence was committed by failing to seek help. “There is currently no law that requires someone to take action when another person’s life is in immediate danger” he said. “Danielle was left alone, locked inside and died as a result.”
He is now campaigning for a legal “duty to rescue” - a measure already in place in some other countries - which would require people to take reasonable steps, such as calling emergency services, when someone’s life is at risk.
“No one should be able to knowingly walk away from a vulnerable person in crisis without accountability” he said.
Photo: Danielle Haggerty.
The multi-day hike will finish at Glossop Cemetery, where supporters will gather for a moment of reflection and remembrance. Human rights advocate Edwin Duggan is expected to attend, and invitations have also been extended to local MPs including Angela Rayner and Jon Pearce.
On the final leg, the group will be joined by FAITH - ‘Families Acting for Immediate Threat Help’ - a network of families also campaigning for stronger protections for people in immediate danger.
As well as raising awareness, the walk will support the work of Women’s Aid, which helps women and children escape domestic abuse and rebuild their lives. “We hope the walk will encourage constructive discussion about domestic abuse, victim protection, and legal accountability” explained Jonathan.
A petition calling for Danielle’s Law has now received more than 29,000 signatures. At 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
“This isn’t just about our family” Jonathan said. “It’s about protecting others and making sure help is sought when it matters most.”
Donations to support the walk can be made at: www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-haggerty-6?
You can sign the petition to support the introduction of Danielle’s Law at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750545 and follow Jonathan's campaign via the Facebook page: Danielle’s Law
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