Street Collection

 

A street Collection was organised for 5^th December 2007 from 10:00am – 9:00pm to coincide with Christmas shopping and the Continental Markets. Volunteers and staff collected throughout Belfast City Centre giving out red ribbons and specially designed bookmarks.  This event raised a total of £702.  The street collection is still a very effective way of raising money directly from the general public and is also serves to raise the profile of the organisation as well as to highlight the issue of HIV in Northern Ireland.  We believe it is important for everyone in Northern Ireland to know about HIV and we rely on public events like this to help raise awareness as well as vital funds.  In addition to the above Collections are an excellent way of attracting new volunteers and we were pleased to have several new volunteers joining us to collect on this occasion.

Motion Passed by Belfast City Council

 

Following our work with Sinn Féin during recent months Councillor Tierna Cunningham proposed a motion to Belfast City Council at  their meeting on Monday 3^rd December 2007 calling upon the Council to take action to combat the spread of HIV infection and AIDS and to challenge the stigma that these diagnoses can bring.

 

The motion also called upon the Minister for Health to work with The HIV Support Centre to initiate a programme to create enhanced awareness of HIV and AIDS particularly amongst young people.

 

The motion was passed unanimously.

 

2008 BELFAST MARATHON

 

The HIV Support Centre is looking for Volunteers to run the 2008 Deep RiverRock Marathon and raise funds for The HIV Support Centre.  If you don't feel up to running there are other options including a team relay, marathon walk and fun run. 

 

THE MARATHON IS ON MONDAY 5 MAY 2008

 

To find out more, call Maria Kinney on 028 90 249 268

 

For Immediate Release

 

WORLD AIDS DAY

THE LONG GALLERY, STORMONT:

SATURDAY 1^ST DECEMBER 2007

 

 

Over 100 delegates from across the UK, Ireland and overseas will be attending The HIV Support Centre's awareness raising Conference on HIV and AIDS in Northern Ireland.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated Saturday 1^st December as World Aids Day and The HIV Support Centre is making huge efforts to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in Northern Ireland.  Kieran Harris Chief Executive of The HIV Support Centre said "Sadly the rate of HIV infection continues to grow at an alarming rate with approximately two new diagnoses per week meaning that Northern Ireland now has the highest growth rate of HIV infection in the UK (per capita)."

 

The Conference will see the launch of The HIV Support Centre's new advertising campaign and will also focus on personalised stories from HIV positive people and their life experiences of living with HIV.

 

Kieran Harris added "This is a very important Conference and we are delighted that the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride, is to be our keynote speaker.  The Centre would also like to thank the Health Promotion Agency and The Red Cross for all their help and assistance in organising the Conference."

 

Deirdre McNamee, Senior Manager for Public Health at the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, said: "We are delighted to be supporting The HIV Support Centre event on World AIDS Day. HIV and AIDS are a reality in Northern Ireland and we cannot afford to be complacent. In order to prevent the spread of HIV we need to become more informed and responsible for our own sexual health as well as ensuring those living with HIV and AIDS in Northern Ireland do not suffer from discrimination and get the support they need."

 

The Conference is being hosted by Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson.

 

For further information on World Aids Day events please contact Maria Kinney or Cherie Davidson at The HIV Support Centre on 028 9024 9268/ info@thehivsupportcentre.org.uk or for support/information on HIV please contact The Centre (on the above number) or telephone the  Helpline on 0800 137 437.

 

PS As one of a number of events, leading up to World Aids Day, The HIV Support Centre will be releasing 300 red balloons at the front of Belfast City Hall at 12 noon on Friday 30^th November with special guest Junior Minister from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Gerry Kelly, MLA.

 

ENDS

 

Photocall for Red Balloon Release

A photocall featuring Junior Minister Gerry Kelly MLA and U105's Carolyn Stewart will take place at the front of Belfast City Hall at 12 noon on Friday 30^th November 2007.  ALL PRESS WELCOME

 

Photocall for Conference

A photocall will take place at 10.45am in The Long Gallery, Stormont on Saturday 1^st December 2007.

ALL PRESS WELCOME

 

 

For further information and comment please contact Maria Kinney or Cherie Davidson at The HIV Support Centre on 028 9024 9268 (9am – 5pm) or email maria@thehivsupportcentre.org.uk

 

 

 

 

Photo 2: L-R Mark Grain (Chair, The HIV Support Centre), Cllr Bernie Kelly Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Dr Brian Smyth (Vice-Chair, The HIV Support Centre), Cheryl McCutcheon (Treasurer, The HIV Support Centre), Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson (and event host).  Photo taken at World Aids Day Conference in the Long Gallery, Stormont on Saturday 1st December.

Photo 1: featuring Junior Minister Gerry Kelly MLA and U105's Carolyn Stewart. Taken at The HIV Support Centre's Red Balloon Launch (to launch World Aids Day) which took place at the front of Belfast City Hall at 12 noon on Friday 30th November.

 

 

Balloon Launch

 

With the assistance of  Junior Minister Gerry Kelly MLA and U105 Presenter Carolyn Stewart  The HIV Support Centre marked the launch of World Aids Day by holding a Balloon Launch at the front of Belfast City Hall on Friday 30^th November 2007. 

 

As this event took place at lunchtime in Belfast City Centre it attracted a great deal of attention from the general public and the Northern Ireland media – featuring on the BBC lunchtime, afternoon and evening news.   

 

At the event specially designed bookmarks and other literature, as well as Red Ribbons, were disseminated to the general public by staff and volunteers from The HIV Support Centre and The Red Cross.