Since 2010, METRO has been running a Hardship Fund for service users who are in desperate need. We give small grants of £50 to support people who have nowhere else to turn. These small grants can help bridge the gap and make the difference between whether people can afford transport to get to their appointments, keep the electricity on, and can afford the basics without having to go to loan sharks or take other desperate measures.
Being a single parent and living with HIV has been a constant struggle. I want the best for my kids, but sometimes it feels like my illness is holding me back. The financial help I got from METRO Charity Hardship Fund helped me to pay for groceries. It wasn’t just the money, it was knowing that I was not alone and the support made me feel like I could still be a good father despite everything.
Father of Three
One of the main ways we fundraise for the Hardship Fund is through Red Run London. This annual fun run for HIV charities takes place in November, ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1st.on December 1st. The event welcomes participants of all abilities and ages, and you can walk, run, strut, roll or sashay 5k or 10k.
You can also donate directly to the Hardship Fund.
After I was diagnosed with HIV, everything changed for me. I had to reduce my working hours because I just didn’t have the energy to work full-time anymore, but that also meant I couldn’t cover all my kids' needs. When I heard about the hardship fund, I wasn’t sure I qualified, but I applied because things were getting so tight. The help I got went towards buying food for my kids for two weeks and it didn’t just help me financially, it took a huge burden off my shoulders and helped me regain my emotional and physical wellbeing.
Mother of Two