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Sir Ian McKellen welcomes new patrons to Albert Kennedy Trust

Actor Russell Tovey, singer and actress Heather Peace and Paralympian Claire Harvey become patrons of  The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), the LGBT youth homelessness charity.

Sir Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen, a current patron said; “Welcome to our new Patrons. Their commitment will encourage others to contribute in whatever way they can to the essential work that the Albert Kennedy Trust does, on behalf of LGBT young people who desperately need help and protection.”

Many of the young people supported by the charity have experienced rejection, abuse or violence.

Russell Tovey
Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey most recently seen in the hit US show Looking said; “The AKT helps thousands of young people every year find their footing again. Everyone deserves to live safe and supported and this charity changes lives for the better, daily. I am honored to be associated with them and if just by being there, I can make any difference at all, then that difference is the most important thing”

Heather Peace
Heather Peace

Heather Peace, a long-time supporter of AKT regularly attending fundraisers, added; “AKT is a lifeline for the young people it helps. No one should be made homeless because of his or her sexuality or gender identity but it is happening all too frequently. AKT offers both emotional and practical support and I’ve met some of the young people they’ve helped to turn their lives around and they were so inspiring.”

Claire Harvey
Claire Harvey

Claire Harvey, who is also the Senior Diversity and Inclusion Consultant for KPMG, concluded; “Most of us remember how hard it was being comfortable in our own identity even within a nurturing environment. It saddens me that so many of our young LGBT people, full of potential and promise are facing rejection, isolation, fear and danger purely because of being authentic to themselves. Not to mention so many adults who are losing the love and connection to their family members out of fear or ignorance.”

The Albert Kennedy Trust has also added five new members to their board of trustees, which will boost the charity’s ability to take on new challenges, help more young LGBT people facing homelessness because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and work towards meeting the charities aspirations for helping young people nationally.

Bear-Patrol raise £3,601.60 for Rainbow Fund

Jason Sutton, aka Miss Jason, joined Danny Dwyer, Ant Howells and Ian Chaplin from Bear-Patrol at Emporium on London Road to hand over £3,601.60 to Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund.

Bear-Patrol

The money was raised by Miss Jason and members of Bear-Patrol abseiling from the top of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth in May (£3,419.90) and from a quiz night at the Camelford Arms (£181.70).

The money will be distributed in the Rainbow Fund’s Autumn grants round.

The Rainbow Fund makes grants to LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front-line services to LGBT people in Brighton & Hove. Groups benefitting from grants in the last year include Lunch Positive, Peer Action, Sussex Beacon, LGBT Community Safety Forum, FTM Brighton, Clare Project, Trans*Pride, LGBT Switchboard, Allsorts Youth Project, MindOut, Blueprint 22, Older and Out and GEMS.

Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2016 registration closes soon

With six months to go until race day, organisers for the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2016 urge runners to sign up as few places remain.

Brighton Half Marathon

More than 8,000 places have been snapped up so far, and the event looks likely to sell out within the next few weeks.

Celebrating its 26th year in 2016, the famous seafront course, draws large crowds and runners of all abilities, from beginners to elites, to run the 13.1 mile route through the city.

Race day for 2016 is February 28 2016, and the race date is ideal preparation for anyone training for a Spring marathon, in Brighton, London, Manchester or Paris.

Race director Martin Harrigan, said: “It really is a fantastic event that continues to grow year on year whilst still retaining its community feel. Support on the course is incredible and the atmosphere along Madeira Drive as you approach the finish is something really special and not to be missed!”

The general public entry fee is £34 for affiliated runners and £36 for non-affiliated runners, including a goody bag and a medal at the finish.

The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon is organised by and the main fundraiser for Brighton based charity The Sussex Beacon, a unique centre providing innovative services to meet the changing needs of people living with HIV.

Runners can also choose to be part of Team Beacon and help raise funds exclusively for The Sussex Beacon, or they can run for one of the other official charities which include Laureus, RISE, Chestnut Tree House, Scope, WaterAid plus more. Charities partnering with the race are listed on the website, where runners can find out more and sign up.

The race is also part of the national Vitality Run Series featuring seven of the UK’s leading half marathons plus two 10Ks.

The 2015 Half Marathon raised £141,280 profit for the Sussex Beacon.

To register, click here:

 

 

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