Raising awareness the key on World Aids Day

Wednesday, 1 December 2021 14:45

By David Murphy

Representatives of George House Trust meet the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Tim Pickstone, at a reception held in the mayor’s parlour.

Bury has been hosting events to mark World Aids Day and promote the values of tolerance and inclusion.

World Aids Day has taken place on 1 December every year since 1988. It is dedicated to raising awareness of the Aids pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, mourning those who have died of the disease and learning the facts and realities of HIV today in the UK and worldwide.

Today, people were invited to wear a red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.

The Mayor of Bury, Cllr Tim Pickstone, held a reception in the mayor’s parlour for representatives of the George House Trust. And on Friday, the mayor’s annual fundraising ball will raise money for George House. The mayor has committed to work with the council’s LGBT Forum for the rest of his term to show his support for the LGBT community.

Cllr Pickstone said: “I’m so proud that Bury is able to mark World Aids Day with events throughout this week.

“One of my mayoral charities this year is George House Trust, an HIV charity in Greater Manchester. I am backing their campaign to raise awareness and to end the stigma faced by people who are living with HIV.”

At The Met arts centre in Bury today, the Bury LGBTQI+ Forum presented three videos produced by the George House Trust to highlight the stories of real people who have been affected by HIV and Aids. There were also speeches by local health leaders and the George House Trust.

Globally there are 37.7 million people living with HIV, with around 105,200 in the UK.

HIV has always been a significant health issue in Greater Manchester, which has a rate of 6.21 per 1,000 population compared to the England average of 2.37 per 1,000.

According to the Government’s Spotlight report, Bury has the 7^th highest rate of people living with HIV in the North West at 2.17 per 1,000 population.

The realities of HIV today are highlighted in a short video from Positively UK called Changing perceptions

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Seven Sisters tenants reaction to the news they could soon be removed

Billy Jackson has called Rochdale’s Seven Sisters home for 40 years. But shock decision means 2025 will be his final year in the iconic tower blocks.
Festive magic arrives in Bury as North Pole Safari Trail transforms town centre

Free augmented reality trail, festive lights switch-on and family events launch Christmas celebrations in Bury
Replacement mosque plans approved despite concerns about parking

Plans to knock down and rebuild a mosque in Prestwich have been approved despite a 1,630 person petition opposing it.
Andy Burnham ‘taken aback’ by decision to move hundreds out of Seven Sisters towers

Andy Burnham was ‘taken aback’ by a decision to clear Rochdale’s iconic ‘Seven Sisters’ tower blocks, forcing hundreds from their homes.
Nine-bed HMO built ‘without permission’ discovered after neighbours complain

Council enforcement officers discovered a nine-bed HMO had been created without permission after a complaint from neighbours, councillors have heard.
Rochdale’s music legacy takes centre stage with iconic Cargo Studios reunion

Rochdale’s rich musical heritage was centre stage at a packed launch event marking the beginning of a new borough-wide celebration called ‘Rochdale Music Stories’, featuring big names like Peter Hook, Clint Boon and Andy McCluskey.
Naked man stops traffic on Rochdale Road in Bury in shocking mid-morning incident

A naked man caused disruption on a busy Bury road on Wednesday morning, swatting at cars and attempting to open vehicle doors before being detained and taken to hospital.
Seven Sisters tower blocks to be emptied over safety concerns

Residents of the iconic tower blocks that have dominated the skyline of Rochdale since the 1960s have been told they will be evicted due to safety concerns.
Culture Co-op secures £1 million to give Rochdale residents more say over arts and creativity

Rochdale’s Culture Co-op has been awarded £1 million to put local people at the heart of cultural decision-making, as part of a £42 million national programme run by Arts Council England.
Hollin pupils turn happiness into poetry during magical session in Middleton

Middleton Library plays host to spellbinding session with Rochdale’s poet laureate Sammy Weaver
Waugh presses government to ensure grooming inquiry tackles race and class ‘head on’

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh says national grooming inquiry must win survivors’ trust and 'follow the evidence wherever it leads’
Goodbye garlic bread? Sandbrook Park Pizza Hut to shut as 68 UK branches axed

Rochdale’s Pizza Hut restaurant is among dozens of UK branches set to permanently shut, after the company that operated the brand in the UK fell into administration.