Red Ribbon Appeal raises $100K

This year’s NSW Red Ribbon Appeal has raised close to $100,000 towards ACON’s HIV prevention work and services for people with HIV in NSW.

More than 15,000 people in NSW purchased Red Ribbon merchandise, made a donation or attended a World AIDS Day event during the week that ribbons were on sale, with 200 businesses across the state selling ribbons via counter boxes.

ACON’s World AIDS Day Concert and other benefit events across the state also contributed to the result.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said the organisation was extremely grateful to all participants and sent, “a big thank you” to everyone who contributed time, money or effort to this year’s appeal and World AIDS Day activities.

“This year mark’s ACON’s 25th anniversary of caring for people affected by HIV/AIDS and it was encouraging that so many people were prepared to recognise that HIV is still here and to lend their support,” Parkhill said.

“The launch event at the Opera House on Tuesday night, attended by members of the band U2 as well as the Prime Minister and the Premier, helped focus attention on HIV and motivated people to support our World AIDS Day activities this year, in spite of the bad weather.

“Keeping people aware of HIV/AIDS as a local and global issue is the other important aspect of the whole exercise and our efforts, as well as those of other agencies, certainly helped to achieve that.”

Parkhill thanked the producers of Jersey Boys who allowed volunteers to collect donations after performances throughout the week, and collections will continue during Christmas season drag shows at the Opera House.

info: Donations can still be made to the Red Ribbon Appeal online at www.redribbonday.org.au