Got Your Back Sista chair Belinda Smith says she has been "blown away" by the Hunter community's support for the charity's I Run for Her fundraising and awareness event.
A run or walk with no set distance that participants completed remotely, the event was held to highlight the need for increased services to support people experiencing domestic violence.
It came about after a half-marathon Ms Smith started training for late last year that was due to be held on Sunday was cancelled because of COVID-19.
Rather than waste months of training, she set up the event to be the charity's major fundraiser this year as its regular campaign was cancelled for the same reason.
More than 130 people registered with some from as far as Western Australia.
Ms Smith finished her 21-kilometre run at Bar Beach about 9.30am on Sunday after commencing a few hours earlier at the charity's op shop in Islington.
"The number of people that have come on board with this highlights that it is a really significant issue in our community," she said.
"But it also highlights that there is a significant number of people who are willing to tell their story about their experiences or to show their support for people with experiences, whether it's a work colleague or a family member, and say 'we've got your back, help is out there'.
"The community coming together, saying we've got your back, that's just been fantastic."
Ms Smith said a number of businesses came on board as sponsors in the lead up to the event and more than $35,000 had been raised through community fundraising.
She said the funds would be used to cover Got Your Back Sista's operating costs in light of reduced fundraising opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, the charity experienced a three-fold increase in the number of women seeking assistance compared to the same time last year.
"That money will all go to Got Your Back Sista to fund its programs for women who have been impacted by family violence," she said.
"Our counselling programs, our empowerment circles, our self-defence classes - all of the programs that we run to support these women who have left violent relationships, that are looking to rebuild their lives again independently."
Ms Smith said the success of the event could serve as a message to any women experiencing domestic violence that "the community is there to support them".
