This year I am running my fifth Two Castles 10k Run (Warwick Castle to Kenilworth Castle) but this will be a first as this will be the first time I will be competing to raise money and not just for the enjoyment (if you can even consider running fun!)
By entering the Two Castles Run this year, I am aiming to raise as much money as possible for The Proud Sky Blues – the official LGBTQ+ Supporter’s Group of Coventry City Football Club. I have set myself the ambitious target of raising £250!
Why am I raising funds for The Proud Sky Blues?
Founded in August 2023, The Proud Sky Blues want to work with the club to help make the CBS Arena and football, in general, a more inclusive environment.
Many LGBTQ+ fans still do not feel comfortable being their authentic selves when attending football matches. In 2022, a survey completed by Football v Homophobia found that 63% of respondents experienced incidents of physical and verbal abuse, comments from other fans, and homophobic or transphobic chanting at games during the 2021-22 season.
These figures are extraordinarily high, so we are here to work with the club to improve the match day experience and promote the visibility of the club’s LGBTQ+ fanbase.
We believe that football should be a game for everyone, and our group aims to help promote inclusivity within the game and ensure that football is a safe space for LGBTQ+ fans to be themselves.
Most elite clubs already have LGBTQ+ supporter groups, some of which are now over 10 years old and have hundreds, if not thousands, of members.
My personal experience with The Proud Sky Blues
In summer 2022 I had been diagnosed with clinical depression & an eating disorder, and had fallen out of love with almost everything, including my main passion which is going to the football and experiencing the highs and (very many lows!) of supporting Coventry City.
After coming across The Proud Sky Blues in the early stages of the 2023/2024 Season I had put off going to one of the socials organised before or after each home game, before I finally found the courage to go for the first time back in January – after Coventry had beaten Leicester which certainly helped with the confidence!
After being welcomed with open arms and made to feel welcome with no judgment from the moment I walked in, every single member of the group has been a support network to myself in finding my enjoyment back in my biggest passion and it’s time to give something back to this amazing group of people.
Donating
If would would like to support in my fundraising for The Proud Sky Blues please follow this link; https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ProudSkyBlues
RNTomlinson 
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