Brighton Labour councillors and MP to take part in half marathon

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey is joining Whitehawk and Marina councillor David McGregor, Hollingdean and Fiveways councillor Bruno De Oliveira and Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle for a relay in the race next month. Each will run about 5k.

The “Red Racers” aim to raise £500 for the Brighton-based HIV charity The Sussex Beacon, which organises the annual half marathon each year.

Cllr Bella Sankey has been training on park runs in the city (Image: Supplied)

Cllr Sankey has been out training by taking part in the Preston Park parkrun. She said: “I cannot wait to join my Labour Party comrades, running together to raise money for the brilliant Sussex Beacon.

“I love the Brighton half marathon, the route is stunning and it’s full of good vibes.

“Running for the Beacon is a huge honour - the charity is integral to the identity of our city and does so much to provide support and empowerment for those living with HIV.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle is also among those taking part in the relay (Image: Supplied)

Mr Russell-Moyle, the only openly HIV positive parliamentarian in the world, said The Sussex Beacon is a “wonderful” charity with teams that provide peer support, hospice care and outreach across the south.

He said: “My office works with them regularly to ensure there are pathways for constituents who contact me.

“I also look forward to working with the new chief executive Rachel Brett to see the Beacon go from strength to strength and am thrilled to be participating in the relay to help raise funds for their fantastic work.”

David McGregor will also be taking part in the half marathon next month (Image: Supplied)

David McGregor, a proud member of LGBT+ Labour, said: “I have been in awe of the work The Sussex Beacon has been doing supporting those living with HIV.

“Our charities in the city have stepped up when funding has been cut nationally and I want to do anything I can to support them - even run in the February cold.”

Bruno De Oliveira, chairman of the council’s health and wellbeing board, said he was looking forward to taking part in the half marathon to “raise money in support of the great work of the Sussex Beacon which provides so much assistance of people living with HIV”.

Donations to their fundraiser can be made on JustGiving at https://www.justgiving.com/page/theredracers-1705653614939.

Argus reporter George Carden will also be running the Brighton Half Marathon, raising £200 so far for The Sussex Beacon.

Donations to his fundraiser can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/george-carden-1704639350468.