UK women rally to support Planned Parenthood in a post

LONDON -- A community of British women are rallying to raise money for Planned Parenthood in the wake of Donald Trump's U.S. election win. The group -- UK Friends of Planned Parenthood (UKFPP) -- formed after co-founders Helena Horton and Jade Azim read that many American women were rushing to get IUDs (also known as the coil) because they are afraid they will lose access to contraception during Trump's presidency.

SEE ALSO: Everything women stand to lose to President Trump

Their fears aren't without foundation. Donald Trump stated explicitly in February that he wants to defund Planned Parenthood because he is pro-life.

Access to contraception isn't the only thing that American women stand to lose if Trump follows through with his wish to defund Planned Parenthood -- a nonprofit organisation which provides reproductive health services.

It is also entirely likely that Planned Parenthood will lose millions of dollars in federal funding that pay for preventative health care, cancer screenings, abortion services and birth control. Trump has also stated his desire to repeal ObamaCare, the goal of which is to provide affordable healthcare including free contraception.

"I felt really dejected after Donald Trump won. I'd just written a story about women who felt they had to get long-term contraception, such as the coil, because they were worried about access to it with Trump and the republicans in power," British journalist Helena Horton told Mashable.

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"I couldn't imagine having to live like that and I wanted to do something positive to help the women in the U.S.," Horton continued. "Reproductive rights in the U.S. are already shaky and now they're looking even more uncertain. Which is why we want to help."

An intrauterine device (IUD or coil). Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/AP Images

Horton sent out emails and discovered that lots of other women and men felt the same way as she does. She decided to set up a fundraising event.

When Azim got on board, they formed a group and became UKFPP.

The group's initial aim is to raise money for Planned Parenthood with a fundraising event and a GoFundMe page for those unable to attend who want to "show solidarity with sisters in the U.S.".

Activists and volunteers from Planned Parenthood rally against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump across the street from the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, October 18, 2016. Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

They also plan to expand the community and build international solidarity and fundraising for reproductive rights across the world, according to Horton. "Others do want to rally and help out and many have got in contact to ask about the event, and others just want to join in and show solidarity," says Horton.

"Every single person who has bought a ticket to the event has done so out of a willingness to help women in the U.S.," says Horton.

UKFPP's first fundraising event will take place on 19 January 2017. The night will feature guest speakers including Telegraph columnist Bryony Gordon, leader of the Women's Equality Party Sophie Walker, and three female MPs, among others.

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