Royal Hyde Parks Half Marathon in Memory of my Granpa - National AIDS Trust
Sasha Vion is raising money for National AIDS Trust
In memory of Maurice Vion
Story
I am french born and raised, and moved to the UK (Newcastle)2 years ago.
I will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise money for the National AIDS Trust in memory of My grandfather Maurice Vion (my grandfather on my white side, so my father's dad) who died of AIDS in January 1990 in London when I was a baby.
I have no souvenirs of him only a few pictures, The cause of his death as well as his homosexuality were kept secret from us all the way until I found out in my late teens.
Back in the days (50's) being gay wasn't even an option, he married a woman (my lovely nan❤) and had 3 children. He then moved to London in the 60's to be able to be his true self, over there he was out and proud :) and worked as a Host in beautiful luxury hotels in London.
As a teen I never felt it was right to hide his story, no one should be ever be ashamed of having a gay family member or losing someone to AIDS.
I have always felt close to him even though I never got to know him. I came out myself age 21 and I ended up working in the same industry as my grandfather and just like him and I have also moved to the UK.
It is CRAZY to think about all the things I have in common with him but yet I have never known him.
From what I heard from family members he was a BADASS camp grandfather with a strong french accent, loads of boyfriends, he was very popular in the London gay scene and was living his best life in the big city.<3
I am honored to be able to help such a great charity. I feel like taking part in that race will bring me closer to him and would help others to get the treatments he couldn't get at the time.
He was in LOVE with London, the English people/ culture and the Royals, and hopefully he can see me run this Royal Hyde Park Half Marathon <3
All the donations will go to National AIDS Trust.
National AIDS Trust the UKs HIV rights charity. We work to stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity and equality, and to end new HIV transmissions. Our expertise, research and advocacy secure lasting change to the lives of people living with and at risk of HIV. We continue to fight for the rights of all people living with HIV and challenge the stigma around HIV.