Gay switchboard’s unusual fundraising at Walk for Life
The London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (LLGS) has publicly thanked and congratulated LGBT charity Crusaid for organising this year’s ‘Walk For Life’ event.
The walk, which helps raise many thousands of pounds for LGBT charities every year, incorporated some of London’s finest sights.
The route started at Potters Fields Park before crossing Tower Bridge, passing Saint Paul’s Cathedral, and walking along the South Bank from Waterloo Bridge to end back at Potters Fields.
LLGS, the UK’s largest telephone helpline dealing with LGBT issues, fielded a 20-strong team of walkers.
They were led by LLGS Chief Executive Tim Gutteridge, who was dressed in an eight-foot high and six-foot wide telephone frock.
“For LLGS this annual event is a great fundraising opportunity,” he commented.
“The money we raise from the walk helps to fund our service, including our key work around HIV prevention and sexual health.
“This year we were able to get our biggest ever team out to raise funds, bringing together LLGS volunteers, staff and ex-staff, as well as their partners and friends.
“I would like to thank Crusaid, our walking team, and all those who wished us well on our way round London.”
LLGS will receive 75 per cent of all the money which its team has raised, thanks to Crusaid’s scheme for charity teams.
Commenting on the event LLGS said:
“The £2,600 we are expecting will fund all LLGS services for five days, allowing us to provide confidential information, support and referrals to callers from across the UK who have issues about sexuality.”
Founded on March 4th 1974, the LLGS information and support helpline operated for 5 hours every evening in a small room above a bookshop near Kings Cross Station.
LLGS volunteers now answer approximately 30,000 calls every year, and an additional 100,000 people seek information online from their LGBT community database.
In 2007 LLGS became the recipient of the Queens Award for voluntary Service 2007.
Crusaid is a major UK charity which directs money, knowledge and support to poor and marginalised people and communities affected by HIV and AIDS.
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard’s helpline, 020 7837 7324, operates from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. The service is also available on minicom (020 7689 8501).
The web site www.LLGS.org.uk also contains key facts about the organisation.
