HIV charity urges Southend to Stand Up and Stand Out for World AIDS Day
Thursday 22 November 2012
HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is calling on the people of Southend to stand up against HIV-related stigma this World AIDS Day (1st December). To mark the occasion, the charity is putting on a number of events as part of its Stand Up, Stand Out campaign. The campaign aims to raise funds for people living with HIV and banish the stigma that still exists around the condition today.
There are now around 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK – more than ever before. World AIDS Day is an international event that has been running since 1988 and is dedicated to raising awareness of HIV and AIDS.
Terrence Higgins Trust has a number of events and activities planned in Southend this World AIDS Day and is asking local people to get involved in the following ways:
Thursday 29th November – 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Avenue Baptist Church, Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7JX
Terrence Higgins Trust will attend a special evening service at Avenue Baptist Church. The team will give a short presentation about HIV and African communities, and share information about the first ever National HIV Testing Week as well as the charity’s Stand Up, Stand Out campaign, which aims to banish HIV-related stigma this World AIDS Day. The event is being organised by the Southend Zimbabwean Network.
Friday 30th November – 8am to 10am; and 5pm to 7pm
Southend Central, Grays and Upminster Station
Commuters and members of the public will be invited to make donations to support people living with HIV, as Terrence Higgins Trust teams hold collections at Southend, Grays, and Upminster stations. The funds raised will help the charity support people living with HIV locally. The charity’s team in Southend will be supported by volunteers from Southend YMCA.
Friday 30th November – 12pm to 2pm
Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6ER
Terrence Higgins Trust will be holding a special stall and display at Southend Civic Centre over the busy lunchtime period on the Friday before World AIDS Day. The team will be on hand to provide information about what the charity does locally. Passers-by will also have the opportunity to get their World AIDS Day red ribbon and make a donation to the charity.
Saturday 1st December – 7pm to 11pm
The Cliff Pub, 48 Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1HH
Terrence Higgins Trust volunteers will join customers at the Cliff Pub on 1st December. Representatives from the charity will be marking World AIDS Day by holding collections in aid of the charity. The funds raised will help to support people living with HIV locally.
Saturday 1st December – 7pm to 11pm
Hush Bar, Clarence Rd, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS1 1AN
Customers at Hush Bar will also be joined by a Terrence Higgins Trust team who will invite people in the bar to help raise funds for services in the local area this World AIDS Day.
People can also organise their own red themed event or sell red ribbons to raise funds to support people living with HIV. Visit www.tht.org.uk/worldaidsday for more information and fundraising ideas, to order your free box of red ribbons or to make a donation online.
Rob Tocknell, from Terrence Higgins Trust’s Southend centre, said: “A third of people with HIV in the UK say they have experienced discrimination because of their condition – this is something that urgently needs to change. By joining our Stand Up, Stand Out campaign this year, the people of Southend have a chance to help us banish HIV-related stigma for good. There are so many ways to take part, from joining in one of our events, to planning your own activities, to simply making a donation or wearing a red ribbon to show your support.
“The funds we raise this World AIDS Day will help people with HIV access the support and services they need.”
For more information on World AIDS Day events or Terrence Higgins Trust’s services in Southend please contact Rob Tocknell on (01702) 340791 or by emailing rob.tocknell@tht.org.uk.