08/01/2018 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

The Sussex Beacon still has places available for this year’s Half Marathon and Corporate Relay races on Sunday, February 25, 2018, and is looking for more runners to support the charity.

Every year, Brighton-based charity The Sussex Beacon organise and deliver The Grand Brighton Half Marathon, a popular event featuring a beautiful seafront course which is one of the first half marathons on the running calendar.

Running a half marathon is an enormous challenge, and The Sussex Beacon is proud of its team of runners, who have fundraised £66,000 over the last two years of The Grand Brighton Half Marathon, enabling The Sussex Beacon to be able to continue offering specialist inpatient and outpatient treatment for people living with HIV. These support services cost over £2 million a year to maintain.

Executive Director Bill Puddicombe, said: “Here at the Sussex Beacon, we support people who are finding life with HIV tough or even unmanageable. Team Beacon runners play an important part in our work. Their effort and sponsorship mean that we can provide care and support to people who need it – when you run for us, you make a real difference.”

Team Beacon runners are required to fundraise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. In return, they receive plenty of training and fundraising support, a vest and fundraising pack, and access to an exclusive marquee in the race village with separate baggage and toilet facilities.

Registrations need to be complete by Friday, January 26. To join Team Beacon, click here:

Alternatively, runners can divide the distance by entering The Sussex Beacon Corporate Relay in teams of five to enjoy exclusive race day perks.

For full details, click here:

For those wanting to be part of the incredible atmosphere of the Brighton Grand Half Marathon without running 13.1 miles, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities on the day, such as cheering for Team Beacon runners on the course or helping the team in the race village.

For further information about how to get involved, click here:

Or contact their Challenge Events Fundraiser, Rosie Hemming on 01273 694222 or email: rosie.hemming@sussexbeacon.org.uk

The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV through both inpatient and outpatient services. It helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex each year and was rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission in 2016.

Chief Executive of Mildmay leaves the charity after nine years, to take on a new position.

Dr Ross White

Dr Ross White is stepping down from his role as CEO of Mildmay to take on another Chief Executive role at a charity in Surrey.

Dr White has headed the East London HIV Charity which also works in East Africa, for the last nine years, overseeing the opening of the brand new Mildmay hospital which was officially opened by HRH Prince Harry in 2015 and marked the organisations 150th year in 2016.

In 2017 Mildmay achieved Outstanding, the highest rating possible, in their Care Quality Commission inspection (CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England).

Carol Stone, a Mildmay trustee for the past two years who has dedicated almost four decades of her life to the health-care sector, will step into the interim CEO role until a permanent appointment is made.

Dr White said: “This been a very hard decision to make, I feel an enormous personal attachment to Mildmay and a huge sense of pride in all we have achieved as a team. I believe however that I have one last big role to take on and although I am sad to be saying goodbye to my Mildmay family I feel confident that they will continue to go from strength to strength.

“I am indebted to our wonderful board of dedicated trustees, our exceptional staff, volunteers and supporters and thank them for their unceasing commitment which has enabled Mildmay to achieve so much.”