Hi all!

The most I've run so far is 10K, but I have signed myself up for the Brighton Marathon - woohoo! I'm hoping to become lighter, fitter, be able to eat more and raise some money for Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT). 

AKT supports young gay, bi and trans people who are often unable to live at home because of their sexuality. Many flee their home or are kicked out and are very vulnerable - AKT supports them through providing carers and mentors and also through helping them live independently.

I am a mentor for the charity and see first-hand how much this work is needed. Despite 10 years of progressive legislation thanks to Labour (probably wouldn't have got it under the Conservaties), society's attitude to gay people hasn't changed that much under the surface. Young people are still being killed or killing themselves because they are being bullied over their sexuality.

In 2008:

• - AKT had 1,400 requests for support (it is a tiny organisation working across Manchester & London)
• - 55% of the young people who contact AKT in London are in need of emergency accommodation. AKT cannot currently meet this demand for carer households and our service is bursting at the seams.
• - 85% of our young people have faced some level of rejection by their parents just for being brave enough to come out and be who they are.
• - More than 2/3 of AKT young men have been offered sex or been forced to offer sex to get a bed for the night

 

Recent stories in the press

• London September 2008: young man left paralysed after homophobic attack in Shoreditch
• Manchester October 2008: Young man commits suicide after a string of vicious homophobic calls from his peers to his home (despite support of his parents)
• Derby October 2008:  Young man jumps from top of building in desperation after experiencing constant homophobia. Youths take pictures on their phone and taunt him as he falls to his death.