26 miles....mahhhhhhhhh........

So yes I might be a bit mad, but I am going to attemtp to run 26 miles! Where I here you ask? Well, none other than the wonderful tropical delights of Newport, Wales. Oh yeah! Wales' first premier marathon! Woop Woop! Supporting the home country!

Happening on April 29th, I am going to run Wales' first marathon and my first marathon!!!!!!

I will be raising money for both the National AIDS Trust (NAT) and Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants, two fabulous organisations. Please support in any way you can.

Here is some info on both of them:

NAT:

I recently started a new job for an organisation called the National AIDS Trust, who do vital work transforming the UK's response to HIV.

To give you an idea of the amazing work NAT does:

- NAT took NHS England to court last year when they would not fund PrEP (which prevents people from contracting HIV). And we won!

- NAT campaigns against the severe cuts happening to public health budgets, sexual health services, HIV support services and HIV prevention efforts

- NAT campaigns against HIV stigma and the detrimental impact it can have upon people living with HIV

- NAT battled to ensure that migrants could gain access to HIV treatment and care for free, and continutes to fight for a healthcare system that can be accessed by all

- NAT campaigns for a fairer benefits system, one that supports people living with HIV rather than demonising them

Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants (LGSMigrants):

They are a UK-based grassroots organisation of incredible people dedicated to solidarity work with migrants in these trying times. Here’s a link to learn more about LGSMigrants: http://www.redpepper.org.uk/lesbians-and-gays-support-the-migrants

The group aims to support migrants and challenge right-wing narratives on immigration through creative direct action and solidarity work.

Past highlights include organising Peckham Pride two years running, glitter-bombing the headquarters of Serco (the private contractors responsible for managing Yarl's Wood immigration detention centre), fundraising in the queer community, via vibrant community events and regular bucket-shakes in London, for charities such as L'Auberge Des Migrants (Calais) and Southwark Refugee & Migrant Project, and direct action duch as that with Plane Stupid and End Deportations to halt a charter flight.

Both these organisations try and make the world a better place for those forced to the fringes of society. So anything big or small would really help! And also would help spur me on to actually run what is such a silly long distance!