Being trans isn't easy and it can be hard for families to simultaneously understand and support their trans children. When I was a child and my gender started to express differently from expected, my parents and I weren't equipped to handle it. What we needed was Mermaids.

Mermaids has been supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families since the year I was born, but back when I needed them I didn't know they existed. Now, with ever increasing visibility, they need our support so they can be there for today's young people and their families.

25km (15.5mi) is almost a half-marathon and a 5k back-to-back and I'll (be attempting to) do this for four days in a row. It only takes a cursory look at the news in a given week to see the challenge trans people and their supporters face, and this isn't even considering the personal challenge of coming to terms with your identity. I now have the full support of my family, my friends and my job so I can spare a little bit of hardship. I implore you to do the same with some of your money if you care for me and my trans siblings.