How and why we were founded and how we’ve developed as a charity

Terrence Higgins was one of the first people in the UK known to have died from an AIDS-related illness, passing away in 1982, aged 37.

1982: A Powerful Legacy 

After Terry Higgins passed away, his partner Rupert Whitaker and friends Martyn Butler, Tony Calvert, Len Robinson, and Chris Peel came together with one mission: to prevent others from suffering as Terry had. 

Together, Rupert and Martyn founded what would become Terry Higgins Trust, focusing on raising awareness and funds for research into what was then called Gay-Related Immune Deficiency (GRID). 

[Picture from the Beacon of Hope Memorial] 

1983: Voices Unite 

In early 1983, a public meeting about GRID—organised by London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard and Terry Higgins Trust—brought together passionate volunteers. 
Among them was Tony Whitehead, who later became the first Chair of the Trust’s Steering Committee. 

[Picture of Tony Whitehead or the first committee] 

August 1983: Becoming Official 

The Trust was formally established as Terrence Higgins Trust, with a constitution and bank account. A clearer structure brought stronger impact. 

November 1983: Company Status 

We became a limited company, appointing a formal Board of Directors to guide our growing mission. 

January 1984: Recognised as a Charity 

Terrence Higgins Trust achieved charitable status. We immediately began providing vital services like: 

  • Buddying & home-help 

  • Counselling 

  • Drug & sex education 

February 1985: Read all about it 

The first edition of ‘The Trust’ internal newsletter is published highlighting the reports from the internal groups and committees involved in running the charity, and numbers of cases of  

[Picture of the first newsletter] 

April 1986: First Annual Report for Terrence Higgins Trust 

We were the first charity in the UK to be set up in response to the HIV epidemic and have been at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS ever since.