Growing up LGBT+ can be unacceptably tough. Right now, LGBT+ young people are twice as likely as their non-LGBT peers to be feeling lonely and separated from the people they are closest to on a daily basis. The lockdowns have been tough for everyone, but for many young LGBT+ people they have been unbearable. We are a team of ambassadors from the UK charity for LGBT+ young people - Just Like Us. Over the next few weeks we're taking part in The 5.0 Ambassador Challenge to raise money for Just Like Us. By supporting us today you will help to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and make sure that LGBT+ young people across the UK know that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated!

As a team of two, we are aiming to run, walk, cycle and swim 120km before the 21st of May in order to raise money for Just Like Us.

03/05/2021 Update - 

We have just hit our £120 fundraising goal, and we couldn't be happier! Thanks so much to everyone who has donated!

We are going to up the ante a bit. We are increasing our distance goal to 200km and upping our fundraising goal to £200 to match it!

We are so thankful that we are doing so well, and we can't wait to keep going!

Catherine's Story

I first realised I was bisexual when I was around 15, and whilst my friend were accepting and amazing, some people in my school weren't. A friend and I set up and LGBT+ group at my school and I quickly realised how much it was needed. Little comments from people in class and around the school made my final year very difficult. 

With the LGBT+ group and my friends, I made it through and went to university and nervously joined the LGBT+ society. It was the best decision I ever made. Friends and support galore. I later became the President of the society and it felt amazing to be able to provide the same support I received to people just arriving at university. I have since left university and got myself a scary adult job, where people respect me for exactly who I am.

I am raising money for Just Like Us so that young LGBT+ people have role models come into their school and remind them that things can get better and you will find people who accept you!

Krystof's Story

 Growing up, I have never seen or met a transgender person. Being LGBT+ was something that people were hiding, and as a result I did not have the right words that would explain how I felt. I was often feeling lonely, and I struggled to see my future.

Now that I found the words to describe my identity and found supporting community of people like me, I know that things do get better. I am JLU LGBT+ ambassador because I believe that kids deserve to see role models and learn that being LGBT+ is not going to hold them back from having a great life. ‘