Fundraising stories

We’re incredibly grateful for all our brilliant fundraisers. If you’ve supported us, thank you! We cannot do what we do without amazing people like you. Read below for some inspiring stories!

Can you share your story to help others raise as much as they can and change the future for everyone affected by HIV? Use the form at the bottom of the page to let us know!

When I was diagnosed with HIV, someone from Terrence Higgins Trust was there ready and waiting if I needed help. While the nurses and doctors at my hospital were fantastic, they didn't have the time to deliver the level of personal, one to one support that Terrence Higgins Trust could. I received counselling and advice sessions and that enabled me to continue studying for my degree while beginning treatment.

Now a few years down the line I've met a few more people that are living with HIV and there's a strong theme in our stories – it’s the amazing work of Terrence Higgins Trust!

For World AIDS Day 2020 I took on a 100km cycle ride all over London. I raised £2,160 using JustGiving, smashing my target of £1,400, and have been raising awareness of my ride via my social media. I’d encourage everyone to get involved in World AIDS Day.

I have had the privilege to work collaboratively with Terrence Higgins Trust in my role as an NHS Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV. I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact of their work with our service users, in addition to their extraordinary work on education, raising awareness and challenging HIV-related stigma.

My 'call to action' came after Terrence Higgins Trust services in West Sussex were decommissioned, without due consultation and consideration of the impact of this on individuals and partner organisations. I want to raise awareness of the valuable work that Terrence Higgins Trust undertakes, and raise funds to support them to continue their endeavours.

I have never run a 5K race, never mind a marathon; however, in a peri-menopausal, mid-life-crisis moment of madness, I decided that a significant challenge was needed to make this worthwhile – hence I have signed up for the big one!

I ran the Edinburgh marathon in 2012 after being inspired by the London marathon the year before, so running in London 10 years on felt like a proper full-circle moment and the atmosphere totally lived up to expectations. Being cheered the whole way on my complete strangers and seeing everyone run for amazing causes is extremely moving and brought tears to my eyes twice mid-run.
 
Running for Terrence Higgins Trust made it all the more meaningful, and for me was about remembering those we have lost, helping to educate and fighting against the stigma.

When I was choosing which charity to run for, the thought entered my head 'What if people think I have HIV?'. Well, what if? That stigma is the very thing I wanted to fight against because of the terrible impact it has had and continues to have on the queer community. Let's fight fear with love.
 
The team were so supportive and even let off a confetti cannon around mile 17, which gave me a huge energy boost. Couldn't recommend running the marathon more for such a worthy cause. You won't regret it.

We wanted to do a challenging cycle ride while raising money for a worthy charity. We are two gay guys and although both HIV negative, we are strong supporters of PrEP and reducing HIV transmissions, and wanted to fundraise for Terrence Higgins Trust.

We are both amateur cyclists, so to do an 80-mile canal towpath cycle ride in one day was a big challenge for us! On top of that, we added the rainbow-themed attire to draw attention to ourselves and highlight the ride along the way.

It worked in creating a lot of attention and interest along the way, with people giving us money and support as we rode! The day was very sunny and warm, and the sense of achievement at the end was so satisfying, in addition to raising £1,300 for Terrence Higgins Trust. We finished the ride from Bath to Reading in 11 hours by jumping into the River Thames!