In the week leading up to World AIDS Day on Wednesday 1st December, Terrence Higgins Trust is urging everyone in the UK to recognise the impact of the HIV epidemic both here and across the world. Last year, more than 6,600 people were diagnosed with HIV in the UK, and the figure for this year is set to rise even further.

Garry Sheen, Regional Manager for THT East said: “Someone in the UK finds out they have HIV every 90 minutes, and it is now the fastest-growing serious health condition in the country. This World AIDS Day, take the time to think about your own sexual health, and also look at some of your beliefs about HIV – are you as well-informed as you think?

Garry continued: “Demand for our services in Essex is increasing all the time and we need your support now more than we’ve ever done. You can help by wearing a red ribbon to show your support for people with HIV, donating time or money to Terrence Higgins Trust or by joining our e-campaign at www.tht.org.uk/campaign.”

THT East is taking part in a number of events around World AIDS Day. Staff and volunteers will be collecting in Colchester town centre on Saturday 27th November with Colchester Gay Switchboard, and the collection is followed in the evening by a remembrance service. The Mercury Theatre are hosting a schools HIV drama production along with an exhibition of World AIDS Day artwork, and on Wednesday 1st December there is a non-denominational memorial service at the Colchester Centre at 7.30pm.

Ends

Notes to editors

• Over 800 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the South East in 2003 (1)
• There are over 3,300 people living with HIV in the South East (1)
• Spokespeople from THT East are available for interview. Please contact the THT press office on 020 7816 8622
• 6,600 people were diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2003, 20% more than in 2002

Terrence Higgins Trust is the leading HIV charity in the UK, with offices in London, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford, Bristol, Cardiff, Swindon, Swansea, Brighton, Eastbourne, Colchester, Southend and Staines
(1) All figures courtesy of the Health Protection Agency.

For more information see www.hpa.org.uk