Do it for Terry

Terry Higgins was the first named person in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness. He died aged just 37 on 4 July 1982 at St Thomas' Hospital, London. By Doing it for Terry, and naming the Trust after him, the founding members – his partner and friends – hoped to personalise and humanise AIDS in a very public way.

Early volunteers and staff established the Helpline, the Buddy scheme, counselling, legal advice and a hardship fund. As the epidemic changed, so did the charity and our services. 

An image of the old THT helpline logo. It features the name of the helpline in white text over a red background.
THT Helpline information leaflet c.1986

Today, the THT Direct helpline is a one-stop shop for many. We also support people living with HIV with a hardship fund, counselling, work support, peer-to-peer support to come to terms with their diagnosis, and we campaign for change.

THT Direct logo. In blue text over a white background is written THT Direct with an arrow facing right and the THT Direct phone number.

Together we can end new HIV cases by 2030, support people living with HIV to live well, and eradicate HIV-related stigma. 

Get to know Terry Higgins

Want to know more about Terry? Here are five things you didn't know about his life.

Listen to the Spotify playlist the spirit of Heaven nightclub, where Terry worked as a DJ. 

For Terry's official biography, find out about Terry, the man. 

How it all began

We’ve always been on the leading edge of supporting people living with HIV. Find out about our early days, and how it all began.  

Over the shoulder photograph of Terry Higgins.
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