The women's football team ran in aid of MindOut, a charity that provides mental health support to the LGBTQ community

Sussex students braved the freezing weather to take part in the Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday (25 February).

Members of the University’s sports teams ran to raise money for a number of different charities. They joined thousands of other runners who took to Brighton seafront for the 13.1-mile course.

The men’s rugby team had the largest group of runners, with 45 of their members taking part in the event. This year they have raised over £7,500 towards their £10,000 target. The money will go to the RFU Injured Players Association, which provides support to players who have sustained life-changing injuries while playing the sport.

The men’s rugby team were running on behalf of Harry ‘Beaver’ Langley, a team mate who sustained a life-changing injury while playing for the University in 2015. Since then, ‘Beaver’s Barmy Army’ have been committed to raising money to help support injured players and have raised more than £13,000 for the Injured Players Association.

Runners from the University women’s football team raised over £3,600 for MindOut, a local charity which aims to improve mental wellbeing in the LGBTQ community.

“Running for a charity that we relate to so much was inspiring," said Georgina Ashberry-Sharp, captain of the women’s football team. "As a team we are committed to inclusivity and accepting people, no matter how they identify. This will definitely not be the last race we do and we can't wait to run for more amazing charities next year!” 

Several members of the Sussex women’s rugby club ran in aid of two charities, Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and Try for Change.

And a group from the University women’s lacrosse team raised over £750 for The Clock Tower Sanctuary, a day centre that provides help and support for young people who are sleeping rough on the city’s streets.