We are Queer Running Club! We are a crew of queer people who meet every Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday in East London, to create a safe space to run together. This is a respectful and close knit community of queer and trans people who don't run to compete rather to generate kindness and love for one another all whilst enjoying the endorphin high of running. We run together for our community, fundraising as much as we can and fully support our LGBTQIA+ fam. We regularly run the Red Run together and have historically raised money for Positive East. We are doing exactly the same this year. Here is a little bit about Positive East...

Positive East is an East London charity that provides support and advice services to people living with HIV. They have been at the forefront of HIV service and care for 30 years; supporting people from point of HIV diagnosis to longer term care. While there have been some fantastic developments in HIV medication and medical care, there are still huge barriers that many people living with HIV face. These can include social isolation, poor mental health and a lack of self-worth as well as issues such as financial hardship and lack of access to stable housing.

Every year, Positive East supports more than 4,000 people with services such as counselling sessions, support groups, their advice line and their health and wellbeing programme as well as providing free HIV/STI tests to the local community.

Their vision is “A world where people living with HIV are able to fulfil their potential, free from stigma and discrimination, living full healthy lives” and their mission is to “Improve the quality of life of individuals and communities affected by HIV”.

East London, and Hackney in particular, has a much higher rate of HIV diagnoses than the national average yet the HIV and sexual health sector is experiencing severe funding cuts every single year. Positive East is now relying more than ever on the generosity of the local community to support their vital work.