The following fundraising events are being held in Bristol and Bath to mark World AIDS Day, December 1. Money raised will go to sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).

Thursday November 30

• Bath Community Vigil:  This annual event starts at 7pm and will include contributions from community representatives and the symbolic lighting of candles.  After the vigil there will be a torch-lit procession through the city centre, ending with mince pies and mulled wine.

Friday December 1

• Flag-raising Ceremony:  To raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, THT and Bristol City Council are hosting a flag-raising ceremony outside the Bristol City Council House on College Green.  The Mayor of Bristol will hoist three flags bearing the red ribbon at about 10am.   This will be followed by a short speech from THT’s Director for the West of England. 

Please come along to any of these events and show your support on World AIDS Day!

Members of the public who would like further information on these events should contact THT in Bristol on 0117 955 1000.

Ends

For more information please contact The Terrence Higgins Trust Press Office on 020 7812 1623.

Notes to Editors:

• THT, as part of the Bristol HIV Prevention Network, is hosting a free conference called Moving Forward: New Directions for HIV Services for African Communities in Bristol.

The conference will bring speakers together from local and national organisations to review recent developments in the HIV epidemic in African communities in Bristol and the UK.  The aim is to share good practice and explore a way forward.  The event is being held at Elim @ Bristol, Jamaica Street on December 4th from 10am to 4pm.

• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services to over 50,000 people a year.  The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual health.

• THT has offices in Bristol and Swindon as well as across England, Wales and Scotland.