Terrence Higgins Trust Gets Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Involved In World AIDS Day

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 20 Nov 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is calling for people across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin to get involved in World AIDS Day (December 1) this year, either by attending an event, making a donation to support local HIV services, or wearing a red ribbon to raise awareness.

World AIDS Day, which has been running every December since 1988, is dedicated to raising awareness of HIV and AIDS. In the UK alone, over 80,000 people are living with HIV and over 7,000 are diagnosed every year.

The following events, run in collaboration with Shropshire Buddies & Body Positive, are taking place in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin for World AIDS Day:

- County-wide Awareness Drive (various times and locations across Shropshire)
Friday 27 November (10.00am - 2.00pm): Newport High Street
Saturday 28 November (10.00am - 1.00pm): Wellington High Street
Saturday 28 November (9.00am - 6.00pm): Telford Shopping Centre
Tuesday 1 December (9.00am - 6.00pm): Pride Hill Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury
Saturday 5 December (10.00am - 1.00pm): Ludlow Market
THT staff and volunteers will be out in force at locations across Shropshire in the run up to and immediately after World AIDS Day, raising awareness of HIV, collecting donations, and handing out red ribbons.

- Tuesday 1 December (10.00am - 5.00pm): Day of Remembrance, St Laurence Church, Ludlow
St Laurences Church will be open all day for people to light a candle in remembrance and celebration, with an hour-long vigil from 12.00pm - 1.00pm. THT will provide a display with information on HIV and how to prevent it. The day will conclude at 4.45pm with prayers of remembrance.

- Tuesday 1 December (6.30pm - 8.00pm): Candle-Lit Vigil, The Square, Shrewsbury
THT will be holding a special candle-lit vigil to remember those that have died and to celebrate the lives of those with HIV today. The vigil is open to all, and will feature a reading by Reverend Mark Thomas, a performance by Heart and Soul Community Choir, and a two minute silence.

Lotte Hakeman, Centre Manager for THT in Shropshire, said "World AIDS Day is one of the most important events in THT's calendar. Currently in the UK one in four people with HIV don't know they have it, so it's vital that we continue to raise awareness. We hope local people will get involved in some way, either by attending an event, making a donation, or just wearing a red ribbon."

Source
Terrence Higgins Trust

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