Being a trans teenager in the UK right now is genuinely hard. The healthcare system has basically shut the door on young trans people. There's the constant media noise. And then there's just the everyday stuff: people being hostile, unsupportive, telling you you're wrong for existing as you are. It's a lot. And it's scary. I watch what my 14 year-old navigates and my heart breaks for what they're dealing with, and for all the other young people in the same boat.

That's why Step Forward matters so much to me. They've been an absolute lifeline for Kiddo. My kid has a place to just be themselves, surrounded by people who get it. They've built real self-confidence there. They've made friends who are going through the same stuff. They've learned who they are in a space that actually supports that. And it's not just for LGBTQ+ young people either, Step Forward is there for all young people in Tower Hamlets who need support. Free, confidential, run by people who actually care. In a world that's becoming increasingly hostile to anyone who doesn't fit the boxes, that kind of space is essential.

So I'm running the London Lea Valley 50km to raise money for them. It's a way of saying thank you for what they've done for my kid, and to help them keep doing this vital work. If Step Forward has made a difference to you or someone you love, please consider supporting them. They shouldn't have to struggle for funding when they're doing something so important.