Fundraiser launched to support Drag Race UK star Ginny Lemon after meningitis diagnosis
Drag Race UK star Ginny Lemon is ‘very unwell’ in hospital with meningitis. (Instagram/@ginny_lemon69)
Drag Race UK star Ginny Lemon is 'very unwell' in hospital with meningitis. (Instagram/@ginny_lemon69)
A fundraiser has been launched to support RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season two star Ginny Lemon who is currently “very unwell in hospital” after being diagnosed with meningitis.
The fundraiser, launched over the weekend by fellow UK-based drag star Fatt Butcher, aims to raise money to “fill the gap” in Ginny Lemon’s income while they recover from the illness.
“Ginny is currently very unwell in hospital with meningitis, and will likely need to stay in hospital for two weeks with additional time needed to recover afterwards,” Fatt Butcher wrote in a post on JustGiving.
“As a self-employed artist, Ginny doesn’t receive sick pay and will not be able to earn anything over this time (if you don’t do the gig, you don’t get paid). This is already a challenging time to be an artist – gigs are less frequent and funding is scarce.
“Ginny is a working-class disabled queer artist with no financial support to fall back on – and the worry about how to cover their mortgage & bills during this time is real.”
The fundraiser aimed to raise £1000 to support Ginny during the aftermath of the “unexpected and very serious illness” so the drag star can focus on “getting better, rest and recovery”.
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has already received more than double its goal, raising £2,350.
Meningitis is an infection of “the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord” and can be “very serious” if not treated in sufficient time, according to the NHS. If untreated, meningitis can cause “life-threatening sepsis” and result in “permanent damage to the brain or nerves”.
Posting on their own Instagram page, Ginny, 36, shared a series of silly selfies from their hospital bed, posing with their fingers in a peace sign and pretending to be passed out.
The Drag Race star joked in the caption that they were “celebrating one week of [their album] Fruit Loop by getting meningitis”.
“Why can’t it be Themingitis,” they joshed.
“Stream Fruit Loop Now and let me know what you’re favourite track is (while you still can mwahaha). Seriously tho I’m very unwell and hospital bound for the next 10-14 days, so consider this my out of office for a bit.”
Ginny’s Drag Race UK sisters have shared their well wishes for the star, with season four’s Pixie Polite writing: “Omg!! Rest! And get well soon, hope to see you fighting fit again very soon xx”
Dita Garbo, Banksie, and Tia Kofi also commented with their words of support.
Ginny Lemon is best known for appearing on season two of Drag Race UK in 2021, widely considered to be one of the best seasons of the franchise.
The drag star and musician came in tenth place after self-eliminating themself during a lip-sync against fellow contestant, Sister Sister.
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