Solihull NHS Care Trust and HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is calling for people in Solihull to get involved in World AIDS Day on Monday 1st December 2008, either by attending an event or wearing a red ribbon.

World AIDS Day, which has been running every December since 1988, is dedicated to raising awareness of the condition. In the UK alone, more than 70,000 people are living with HIV and over 7,500 are diagnosed every year. In the West Midlands 3,000 people are diagnosed with HIV and a further 1,000 people are living with HIV but don’t know it.

To mark World AIDS Day this year, Solihull NHS Care Trust have teamed up with Terrence Higgins Trust to launch a major campaign ‘HIV is everyone’s business’ to raise awareness of the issues surrounding HIV and sexual health. The campaign provides easy to understand information on what HIV is and how to prevent it, as well as challenging some of the myths that surround HIV.

On Saturday 29th November, THT staff and volunteers will be out in Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre from 8.00am – 5.00pm, giving out red ribbons and raising awareness of HIV. There will then be a further opportunity for the public to pick up red ribbons and information at Mell Square in Solihull town centre on Monday 1st December between 8.00am-5pm.

Jane Morel, Regional Manager for THT in the West Midlands and Ian Mather, Consultant in Public Health at Solihull NHS Care Trust, said “We’re delighted to be teaming up this year to deliver this important campaign. HIV has been around for over 25 years and is now the UK’s fastest growing long term health condition. We want to remind people in Solihull that HIV hasn’t gone away and how they can keep themselves and others safe. We hope that local people will get involved by wearing a red ribbon and raising awareness.”

If you would like further information on any of the World AIDS Day events in Solihull, please contact Sue Price 0121 6946440 or sue.price@tht.org.uk 

Ends

Notes to Editor

1. Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups.  We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all.