"He would say to me, ‘You can’t stop me – no one can!’ There was no let-up from his evil. I knew he would never stop, so I just had to do what I could to survive."
Mandy Thomas was just 18 when she met the man who would change her life forever. She was soon under his spell – and then her real nightmare began. Mandy found herself part of a cruel and violent relationship that she couldn’t escape. Until one day he went too far…
You Can’t Run is Mandy’s searingly honest and moving true story.
Mandy Thomas is an author, poet, artist and photographer, and a justice advocate and media commentator for domestic violence. She is a 'Survivor Ambassador' for Women's Aid, raising awareness and funds for domestic violence, and a main speaker at conferences and in the media. In 2014, Mandy was awarded the 'Women of Power Award' by Marie Hanson, CEO of S.T.O.R.M. She was also awarded the 'Grace House Honour Award' and is now Patron for 'Breaking the Silence' run by Raj Holness (www.btsuk.org). Today, Mandy continues to fight for justice and her book, You Can't Run, is a memoir of real-life horrific events, published by Penguin/ Random House, which she hope will help others in their fight.
Mandy is also a well-known artist, exhibiting up and down the country. Her works are of a realism style. She is a member of the Swindon Artists Forum and has her own studio. Her lifelike portraits can be found on various art websites, and displays of her work are often showcased at local art groups and exhibitions. Since winning 'Artist of the Year' back in 2007, she has travelled far and wide with her works and her Longleat Lions even made their way to the Royal Crescent of Bath for a very distinguished exhibition.
As well as being an accomplished artist, Mandy also has a keen interest in photography and has photographed weddings, children and nature. Also, now she is able to travel globally, for the last ten years she has captured culture and scenery from around the world. Always looking at life through different eyes, she sees the world full of colour and adventure, and is known for capturing candid one-off shots from rather peculiar angles.
For over 40 years Mandy has been an avid poet and has built up a rather large collection of varied pieces. Her love of reading and writing has increased over the last few years.
WWW.MANDYTHOMAS.COM
