‘Pride’ LGBT miners raise money for Terrence Higgins Trust
By Josh Haggis
LGBT group Lesbians and Gays support the Miners (LGSM) have raised £4,000 for Terrence Higgins Trust.
The money, which was raised through the Mark Ashton Red Ribbon Fund, was presented to the charity by MPs Dr Hywel Francis and Siân James at an event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the miners’ strike.
Ashton was portrayed in critically acclaimed 2014 gay-themed film Pride by Ben Schnetzer. The LGBT activist helped set up LGSM in the 1980s, but tragically died in 1987 just 12 days after being diagnosed with late stage HIV.
“It was our great pleasure to present this cheque to the Terrence Higgins Trust in memory of Mark Ashton who was one of the founders of the LGSM and this vital link with our community in South Wale,” said the MPs. “Their generosity and sense of solidarity was a real lifeline for our community during what was a very difficult time.”
Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust added: “We are so delighted for the support of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners’ Group and the Neath, Dulais and Swansea Valley Miners’ Support Group through the Mark Ashton Red Ribbon Fund.”
“THT is immensely proud to be part of Mark’s legacy. It is inspiring to see that 28 years after his death, Mark’s activism still moves people to make a difference to the lives of people living with HIV,” she added.
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