Project Brighton: Brighton & Hove get running fever – it must be half marathon time!

Every year, Brighton-based charity The Sussex Beacon organise and deliver The Grand Brighton Half Marathon, a hugely popular event that features a beautiful seafront course and amazing crowd support, and is one of the first half marathons on the running calendar. The Sussex Beacon is supported by its incredible ‘Team Beacon’ runners, who have fundraised £66,000 over the last two years of The Grand Brighton Half Marathon, and will race for the Sussex Beacon again on 25 February 2018. The funds raised by each runner are fundamental to the continuation of the charity’s services for people living with HIV, which cost over £2 million a year.

Brighton has the second highest HIV prevalence in the UK, and access to specialist care and support is vital. With a 10-bed inpatient unit, The Sussex Beacon provides 24-hour medical and psychological care to people struggling with a new diagnosis, starting new medication, recovering from HIV-related cancer treatment and dementia, family services and end of life care.

Brighton has the second highest HIV prevalence in the UK, and access to specialist care and support is vital

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.”
With final preparations for the Half Marathon underway, The Sussex Beacon is looking forward to another fantastic challenge event. Come along and join us for the incredible atmosphere of race day. The race starts at 9am on Madeira Drive between Brighton Pier and Brighton Marina, and you can cheer for our runners at various locations in Brighton
and Hove.

For those wanting to be part of the incredible atmosphere of race day without running 13.1 miles, there are also plenty of volunteering opportunities to help out throughout the day. You could be taking photographs to feature on our social media accounts and in promotional materials for the 2018 Brighton Half Marathon, either by emailing them to Fundraising@sussexbeacon.org.uk or tweeting them to us using #TeamBeacon2018. Alternatively, you could help out the team in the race village, or hand out drinks to hard-working runners. We are thoroughly looking forward to another exciting race, and hope to see you there!

For further information about The Sussex Beacon, and how to get involved in the Grand Brighton Half Marathon, please visit www.brightonhalfmarathon.com/sussex-beacon