Christine to run Marathon for Sparkle

A transgender runner taking part in the Manchester Marathon is looking for sponsors to help her raise money for Sparkle, the national transgender charity.

Christine Hart made her first visit to the Sparkle Weekend – the UK's biggest transgender celebration - in the city last July and it was such a life-changing experience for her that she was determined to try and give something back.

“Sparkle 2017 was a huge moment in my life,” said Christine. “I'd been out to LGBT bars and venues as Christine at night, but I'd never had the courage to go out in the daytime and mix with people beyond the 'scene' before visiting Manchester.

“It got to the stage where I just thought 'I've got to do something about this' so at the start of 2017 I booked a hotel for all three nights of Sparkle just to give myself some kind of target to aim for, something that would force me to break out of my shell. When it came to the actual Sparkle weekend in July I remember taking a deep breath before leaving my hotel on Portland Street at lunchtime on Friday to walk down to the village, but was amazed at how not one passer-by batted an eyelid. I really wish I'd had the courage to do it before.

“By the time Sunday came I was brave enough to go even further outside my comfort zone, leaving the village to visit the city centre for shopping and lunch. I couldn't have imagined doing something like that before coming to Manchester. The whole experience was a game-changer for me. I came back to London and suddenly found myself happily enjoying life as Christine.

“Almost as soon as I got home I was counting down the days to the next Sparkle Weekend but, more than that, I also felt that I wanted to do something to help. I'm sure there are lots of other girls who can thank Sparkle for giving them the courage to just be themselves and live their lives and it's always good to try and give something back when something really positive like that has happened to you.

“I was always aiming to do a marathon this year – I did two half marathons last year so it's a natural progression – but had no idea which one I was going to enter until I'd been to Manchester. It's such a friendly city and I had such a good time that I thought I'd come back and do one here... and it was also the perfect opportunity to raise money for Sparkle, a charity that is actually based in the city.

“It's such a good cause that does so much work for transgender people so it would be great if people could spare a few pennies to support it, knowing that the money is going right back into the local community. No donation is too small... indeed, to borrow a well-known supermarket slogan 'Every little helps'.”

Anyone who would like to support Christine when she runs the Manchester Marathon, can visit her Sparkle fundraising page via the link below.

Published: 15-Feb-2018: (4734)