Wild Dog Runner Ana runs for Micro Rainbow & Living Free!

Our ally, Ana Gonzalez of Wilson Solicitors is running The Wall on 15th June, the UK’s most iconic ultramarathon that trails through 70 stunning miles of historic Hadrian’s Wall country. She will be raising funds to help change the lives of homeless LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.

In Ana's words:

"When I hit middle age I promised myself that I would not be a cliché. And then I started flirting with long distance running, so I officially failed miserably. Since then I have completed, 15 marathons, 8 ultra marathons and have gone through menopause. As my beloved friend Kay Everett used to say “what can possibly go wrong?”

Running has giving me so much. It has made me stronger, both physically and mentally. It has empowered me to attempt things I never thought possible such as completing the infamous Comrades Marathon in South Africa (90km, 55 miles) twice as well as London to Brighton (100k, 60 miles). I may not be fast but I am capable of covering very long distances, just like the humble wild dog in Africa. Fittingly, this is the running moniker my lovely South African husband has given to me.

Running also allows me to connect with people in very unusual ways both at races and via fundraising. Some of the most emotional and profound experiences I have had in my life have taken place in ultra-marathons. I have been humbled by the kindness received from complete strangers in very long races. There is no match for the camaraderie shown by fellow runners at the last stages of a tough race. Arguably we are all rather delirious by then but it seems to bring out the best in people!

I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to run the The Wall. This will be my 9th ultramarathon and my first big race after becoming menopausal. It is also an honour and a privilege to fundraise for Micro Rainbow International as well as Living Free Foundation. Both organisations are very close to my heart and they have assisted several of my clients. I have seen first hand the difference these organisations has made to the lives of very vulnerable LGBTQI asylum seekers either by providing safe housing, by fostering a sense of community through the many other activities they organise, such as the choir and by generally empowering asylum-seekers and refugees to move on with their lives and integrate in the UK.

So please sponsor me in my quest to run The Wall on 15th June 2024. I shall wear the Rainbow Butterfly with pride!

About Micro Rainbow International Foundation

Micro Rainbow International Foundation promotes socio-economic inclusion of LGBTI people worldwide. In the UK, it supports LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees . Every year, over 1100 LGBTI persons claim asylum in the UK because of their sexuality, gender identity or intersex status. LGBTI asylum seekers are often not safe if they are placed in housing environments with people from their own home countries, or those people whose religious and cultural backgrounds hold extreme homophobic and transphobic views. Non-cisgender lesbians and gays, trans and intersex people often suffer from higher levels of violence and abuse. LGBTQI asylum seekers have in the past reported being bullied and assaulted by other refugees with whom they share accommodation.

Against this background, Micro Rainbow wants to ensure the safety of LGBTI refugees, their economic empowerment and their social integration. Micro Rainbow's solution is to

(1) offer housing for LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees exclusively, to provide them with safe temporary accommodation;

(2) deliver social inclusion activities, such as peer support groups and life skills workshops;

(3) provide assistance to find employment and to set up small businesses.

The service provision combination of safe housing and socio-economic services that foster integration into British society (a holistic approach to integration) gives LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers greater chances to fulfil their full potential in life.

About Living Free

Living Free UK is a registered community interest company founded in 2018 out of the struggles of millions of LGBTIQ+ Africans who are still battling with their sexual orientation and gender identity, especially in countries where it is still illegal to live their truth and, in some cases, lose their lives while trying to find liberty and acceptance. There are 64 countries where homosexuality is still a crime and even in the UK, LGBTIQ+ Africans are either unable to return to their home countries or face immense difficulty with finding a safe space to express themselves freely and openly without fear of discrimination and violence.

Funds from this fundraiser will be split between Micro Rainbow and Living Free