Chris Gull, Director of Scene, Trustee of Brighton Rainbow Fund and Director of Ledward Centre, shares health concerns and decision to step down from all roles
Chris Gull has shared that he was diagnosed with colon cancer in January, and is stepping down from his roles to focus on his recovery, and retirement. Chris has issued the following personal statement: “The last year has been particularly tough, after more than five years since the death of James L
Chris Gull has shared that he was diagnosed with colon cancer in January, and is stepping down from his roles to focus on his recovery, and retirement.
Chris has issued the following personal statement: “The last year has been particularly tough, after more than five years since the deathof James Ledward, my close friend and and founder of Scene and The Brighton Rainbow Fund, working to keep The Brighton Rainbow Fund, Scene Magazine and The Ledward Centre going for the health and well-being of our LGBTQ+ community through COVID and post-pandemic.However, it became clear last Summer that, as the Trustee responsible for making financial decisions for The Brighton Rainbow Fund (BRF), we would be unable to make the grants which had been promised to some LGBTQ+ and HIV organisations. I have written previously about this, and my profound regret for the position this put these organisations and those they support. (https://www.gscene.com/news/statement-from-chris-gull-chair-of-the-brighton-rainbow-fund)In order to be as transparent and as open as possible, The Trustees of the BRF referred themselves to the Charity Commission and asked them to investigate the situation. We have cooperated fully with the Commission during their investigations. Their report is expected to be published soon, and we will share this once it is.”“Following on from these events Community Works, an umbrella organisation set up by the local authority to help new organisations, has been working with the affected groups, and with Brighton Pride Due to the loss of trust from those groups, the Trustees of BRF made the decision to close. The grant distribution function of BRF, will be assumed by The Pride Community Foundation (PCF). (https://www.gscene.com/news/community-news/meet-leslie-the-new-chapter-for-scene-and-the-pride-community-foundation).
The PCF will also take over the publishing of Scene Magazine, independently from Brighton Pride, and allow me to close Scene Magazine Media CIC. I know that I´m leaving everything in safe hands to continue and to build on the work, of both BRF and Scene, and of the legacy of James Ledward.”
“My younger brother died in November last year, and following the diagnosis of my own colon cancer I had an operation to remove the tumour in mid March, and am about to commence six months of chemotherapy. Now is clearly the time for me to focus on my recovery, and proper retirement.
“After years of delay in building control assent to move on with the next phases of fitting out of the Ledward Centre, many will have noticed the Centre is currently closed for construction work. I’m disappointed to be stepping down just as we get to reopen in a couple of months, but the team have some very exciting plans, and I’m looking forward to seeing them all finally come to fruition from afar. The Ledward Centre is the Community Hub that Brighton & Hove needs and deserves.
“After 40 years actually in Brighton, and nine years now being actively involved though living in Spain, I’d like to thank all those I’ve worked with, as Chair of Brighton Cares in the ’90s, as founder of the Rainbow Hub, as founder of the Ledward Centre, and of course as Chair of Trustees of the Brighton Rainbow Fund; volunteers, grant panel members, fellow Trustees and Directors, and of course all those who have supported these organisations over the years.
“Please keep up that support for the successor entities, and for Brighton & Hove Pride and other organisations whose fundraising makes so much possible, and for the amazing organisations that provide direct support to so many within our community.”
