Thursday 1 December is World AIDS Day and Sydneysiders are being urged to support efforts to end HIV transmission in NSW by buying a red ribbon at selected locations in Sydney’s CBD and inner-city.
ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI* health organisation, will have volunteers out on the streets on Thursday 1 December (World AIDS Day) and Friday 2 December selling ribbons, wristbands and pins as well as collecting donations as part of the annual Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal.
Red ribbons will be on sale for $3 each or 2 for $5, wristbands and pins will be available for $5 each and special edition diamante pins will be on sale for $10 each.
Donations can also be made online at the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal website www.redribbonappeal.org.au, or Red Ribbon merchandise can be purchased from over 200 businesses throughout Sydney and regional NSW displaying Red Ribbon merchandise boxes.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the event is the organisation’s most important fundraising activity for the year. “The money we raise from the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal funds programs and services that are vital to ending the HIV epidemic in NSW,” Mr Parkhill says.
“Thanks to recent advances in HIV treatments and testing technologies, we now have the ability to virtually eliminate HIV transmission in NSW by the end of the decade. By purchasing and wearing a red ribbon, you’ll be demonstrating your support for efforts to end the HIV epidemic. So please join us and make a difference that will last forever.”
“Also, it’s not too late to get involved if you want to volunteer to sell ribbons. All you have to do is donate a few hours of your time on either the Thursday 1 or Friday 2 December. You can even get your friends and workmates involved and have a fun day out. Registration takes just a few minutes on the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal website www.redribbonappeal.org.au.”
Volunteers will be at the following locations in Sydney between 8am and 6pm on Thursday 1 December and Friday 2 December:
- Martin Place
- Pitt St Mall
- Town Hall Station
- Central Station
- Wynyard Station
- Circular Quay
- Queen Victoria Building Forecourt
- Hyde Park
- Taylor Square, Darlinghurst
- Newtown Station and The Hub at Newtown
ENDS
For more information please contact:
David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer
E: dalexander@acon.org.au T: +61 (02) 9206 2044 M: +61 (0)428 477 042