James Preston has worked at the Brighton Sauna for the last six years, he throughly enjoys his job and the “interesting” people he gets to meet there.
James hails from a little town in East Lancashire called Nelson which lies in the shadows of the famed Pendle Hill. In 2010, while visiting a friend in Manchester he met someone who, later, became his partner of five years and with whom he moved to be with here in Brighton.
Eventually they got married, but sadly it was not meant to be and they separated. After the divorce James was in a bad place. He didn’t know who to turn to until a friend suggested that he speak to The Sussex Beacon and ask for their help.
He did this, spending a week in The Sussex Beacon having respite care, receiving help with his mental health issues and getting his diet back on track amongst other things.
In more recent times, James has found himself back at The Sussex Beacon again needing their help after being in a new eight month long “abusive” relationship in 2018.
James says: “The whole team at The Sussex Beacon provide a wonderful service for anyone living with or who are affected by HIV/AIDs and the people there are just amazing. Without them I really don’t know where I would be today.
“I have been wanting to do my part to help this valuable service and the people behind the scenes, decided to do something that hasn’t been done in a while and something that I want to tick off on my own ‘bucket list’ as it were.”
So, this summer, on September 14, his thirty-third birthday James will be doing his part to give something back to The Sussex Beacon and say thank you for all their help by doing a sponsored skydive!
James adds: “I have set a modest target of £500 as, like I say, I think is a modest amount to want to raise for a worthy cause but I really hope to smash this target.
“Any and all help, support, donations and sponsors will be greatly received and appreciated, with all monies raised going directly to The Sussex Beacon.”
To support James and make a donation, click here:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-preston2019