Chelsea Women donate WSL title winnings to domestic abuse charity Refuge

Chelsea clinched the title ahead of Manchester City (Getty)

Chelsea will donate £100,000 prize money from winning the Women’s Super League to the domestic abuse charity Refuge.

Chelsea were awarded the title on a points-per-game basis, meaning they leapfrogged Manchester City who had been top when lockdown came into force but had played more matches.

The club has been supporting Refuge since April, a charity which provides specialist services to survivors of domestic abuse.

“It’s a charity that’s close to the hearts and minds of the Women’s team, and is very important to our owner Mr Abramovich and everyone at the club,” manager Emma Hayes said. “It makes me proud our club is supporting those less fortunate in times of need.

“Up until now our involvement was about supporting the campaign publicly with a call to action but we all wanted to do more than that and if donating our prize money can ease some of the concerns and worries people have then it’s the least we can do.

“It’s an important message. It’s a campaign that’s really dear to us and the best way we can demonstrate our support further is by committing our prize money towards it and helping those in need.”

Sandra Horley, CBE, chief executive of Refuge, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Chelsea Women. Refuge has seen a huge increase in demand to its Helpline and website services during Covid-19 which has shone a light on the thousands of women who need our support across the country right now.”