On 17th August 2018 I will begin my trek along the Arctic Trail in Greenland. This is an exciting and challenging endeavour that will involve me carrying everything I need for 10 days across the Greenland Wilderness - approximately 125 miles. 

This seemed like a really good opportunity to raise some money. Being aware of the Proud Trust through my current work, I wanted to support them as they provide a respectful, affirming space for young people. This provides an all too rare opportunity, where all young people - whatever their sexual and gender identity - are included and valued. Until such a time that this can be assured in all spaces, then I think it's important to support the work of The Proud Trust (and others like them).

I appreciate some of you may not be motivated by the thought of contributing to a good cause but be reassured, that I will suffer! 10 days with no beer, carrying a very heavy rucksack, eating dehydrated food and having to dig a hole everytime I need a poo, must be worth a bit of your money! 

If either of these motivates you, then please give generously.

Mark

P.S Please see below for more official information about the current fundraising effort of the Proud Trust 

"For 30 years, Manchester's LGBT+ Centre has stood proud in Sidney Street, serving young people in desperate need of support and guidance.It's no exaggeration to say the Centre has saved lives - countless people have told us what a lifeline it has been. Over half of young LGBT+ children self-harm. Over two thirds have been bullied or experienced hate crime. "If we had no LGBT+ youth groups I dont know where I would be. I finally felt like I could go somewhere to be myself and be accepted."(Hanna, aged 14). We currently help over 20,000 young people each year - but the Centre is run down and we are over capacity. We have developed ambitious plans to rebuild the centre which will enable us to more than triple the number of people benefitting from our services, and develop brand new specialist groups to help some of the most underrepresented young LGBT+ people.To celebrate our 30th birthday, and coincide with Manchester Pride, we want to raise £30,000 towards the rebuild."