2030 written on alarm clock next to text saying 'I'm walking to end new cases of HIV in the UK by 2030'

Ending new cases of HIV by 2030 is an unmissable opportunity – that’s why I’m walking 2,030 miles to play my part in helping the UK become the first country in the world to end HIV transmissions.

My name is Christine and I joined Terrence Higgins Trust seven months ago as Director of Income Generation. I’m proud to say Terrence Higgins Trust fundraisers are the best in world and I’m constantly in awe of the amazing things they take on as part of our mission to end new cases of HIV by 2030. From running marathons, to gameathons, bake sales and selling clothes on Vinted – it’s truly remarkable.

It’s very rare that you can be part of achieving such a vital goal – to end an epidemic which has cruelly taken so many lives. But it’s within our reach and unless we do everything in our power to achieve it then we won’t reach this monumental goal.

As not to be left out, I started my fundraising challenge on 1 April 2023. By 31 March 2024, I'll have walked 2,030 miles. That’s six miles a day, which is a big ask for 365 days! Literally no days off – not even on Christmas...

To help me on my quest, I’m doing some extra challenges to bring up my total miles. Earlier this month with Tackle HIV, HIV activist and Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas, I took on Snowdon and Scafell Pike, which was over 18 miles! It was absolutely incredible – not only to be at the top of Wales and England, but to also spend time with the Tackle HIV team and hear the stories of people living with HIV including Becky, Gareth, Ellie, and Nathaniel.

Christine with Gareth Thomas on the summit with blue sky behind them
Christine and Gareth

My current total count is 465 miles. so I’m currently on track. I’ve even got a nifty calculator to keep me honest! To add to my mileage I am also planning to walk 100km on the Thames Path in two days (only a paltry 50km a day...).

Fundraising is one of the best ways you can help. We're reliant on funds raised through public donations to support our HIV living well services, Hardship Fund, and stigma-busting Positive Voices. Often it’s the stigma that stops someone from taking an HIV test – and we need to find and test everyone living with HIV to ensure they are able to get on treatment. Because people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass it on to partners and can expect to live just as long as anyone else.

Any amount of money you raise is going to make a big difference – whether it’s £20.30, £230, or £2,030. Our charity provides free HIV testing to people across the UK – one test costs us £15, which means you can help 135 people find out their HIV status by raising £2,030.

My top fundraising tips are to get creative and get your community involved. It can feel awkward asking people to sponsor you, but by getting your friends, family, and colleagues excited about whatever it is you are doing, fundraising can become a way to achieve goals together.

Finding time in the day is hard work, so my advice would be to incorporate fundraising into your everyday activity – that’s what I’ve done with my fundraising challenge! My walks to reach 2,030 miles are part of walking my dog, challenging myself to walk instead of taking the bus in my morning commute, and making it social by getting my friends to walk with me.

Terrence Higgins Trust’s community fundraising team are here to help you! If you have any questions or just would like a chat about ideas, email [email protected] and they’ll be in touch.

Together we can test and find those undiagnosed and support those diagnosed to be on lifesaving treatment. People living with HIV on treatment can’t pass it on. Every step towards achieving my 2,030 miles goal and every generous donation I receive brings all of us closer to the goal of making of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.

With your support, we can say: HIV, Time's Up!

Christine Neubeiser is our Director of Income Generation. Support Christine's 2,030 mile goal on JustGiving.