HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is calling for people in Shropshire 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, around 85,000 people are living with HIV and over 6,500 are diagnosed every year.

The following events are also taking place across Shropshire for World AIDS Day:

• Candle-Lit Vigils, various times and locations across Shropshire
  Wednesday 1 December (12.00pm – 1.00pm); St Laurence Church, Ludlow
  Wednesday 1 December (5.00pm – 6.00pm); Meeting Point House, Telford
  Wednesday 1 December (7.00pm – 8.00pm); Shrewsbury Square
  THT will be holding special candle-lit vigils across the county to remember those that have died and to celebrate the lives of those with HIV today. The vigils are open to all, and will feature readings, performances, and a two minute silence.

• Wednesday 1 December (10.00am - 5.00pm): Day of Remembrance, St Laurence Church, Ludlow
  St Laurence 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.

• Wednesday 1 December (6.30pm – 7.30pm): Prayer Event, St Mary Magdalene Church, Ashford Carbonell
  All are welcome at St Mary Magdalene Church, at a prayer session for healing and reconciliation. The event will also include performances of Celtic and African music.

• Wednesday 1 December (9.00am – 3.00pm); In-Store Collection, Sainsburys, Shropshire
  To mark World AIDS Day, Sainsburys in Shropshire will hold a special collection at their check-out points to raise funds for people living with HIV locally. THT staff and volunteers will also be on hand to raise awareness and hand out red ribbons.

• County-wide Awareness Drive; various times and locations across Shropshire
  Saturday 27 November (9.00am – 4.00pm); Shrewsbury Shopping Centre
  Wednesday 1 December (9.00am – 4.00pm); Telford Shopping Centre
  THT staff and volunteers will run a touring information stand in town centres across the county, raising awareness of HIV, giving out red ribbons and asking for donations.

• Street Collections, various times and locations across Shropshire
  Saturday 27 November (10.00am – 12.00pm); Newport High Street
  Saturday 27 November (1.00pm – 3.00pm); Wellington Square
  Saturday 4 December (10.00am – 1.00pm); Ludlow

• Saturday 11 December (1.30pm – 5.30pm); Awareness Drive, Shrewsbury Town FC
  THT staff and volunteers will descend on Shrewsbury’s football ground, with a display to raise awareness of HIV and how football-goers can guard against it.

Jane Morel, Regional Manager for THT in the Midlands, said: “THT’s message for World AIDS Day this year is ‘HIV is everyone’s business’. Currently in the UK, one in four people with HIV don't know they have it, and THT is committed to halving this rate within the next five years. To do this, 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."

If you’d like further information on any of the World AIDS Day events going on in Shropshire, please contact THT in Telford on (01952) 221410.

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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. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, visit www.tht.org.uk