In 1991 I was diagnosed HIV positive and told I might only live another 8-10 years. I was a newly graduated 22 year old and thought my life was over. All the dreams I had of a future life and career were left in tatters. Amazingly I have survived and this June I celebrate reaching my 50th birthday - a milestone that I could never have imagined.

I know that what has inspired me through my life with HIV is to follow my passions and use those as a reason to keep going even in the toughest of times such as when my partner died of an AIDS related illness just two years after my diagnosis or when I found myself in a hospital bed on oxygen and drips struggling to stay alive.

Music and the arts have lost many talented and creative individuals to AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic. As a long term survivor I wanted to use the fact that I have survived to celebrate my 50th birthday as a catalyst to raise funds for the creative arts which have provided me with so much inspiration over my lifetime with HIV.

Four years ago I was introduced to LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) by my fiance and it has become a place very dear to my heart as I get to see a diverse group of young people following their dreams and passions to become actors or production staff.

The Student Hardship Fund at LAMDA relies entirely on donations and provides support to their students who find themselves in financial need. I am using this crowdfunding opportunity to raise funds to contribute to this fund.

My fundraising will conclude on 11th September 2019 marking the 28th year of my diagnosis.