Northern Ireland HIV Charity Positive Life has welcomed Ards and North Down Borough Council’s decision to light key council buildings red to commemorate World AIDS Day on 1 December.
The lighting up of the McKee Clock in Bangor and Ards Town Hall was ratified at a full council meeting last night. This follows on from councillors meeting with Chief Executive of Positive Life, Jacquie Richardson, to discuss key issues surrounding HIV in Northern Ireland and the importance of World AIDS Day in raising vital awareness.
World AIDS Day is a global opportunity for people across the world to unite against HIV and create awareness and support for those living with the lifelong condition.
Positive Life is the only charity in Northern Ireland supporting people with HIV. In Northern Ireland there are over 1,100 people currently living with HIV, and unlike the rest of the UK, numbers continue to rise.
Positive Life support services includes Counselling, Complementary Therapies, Social Events, Family Support along with Rapid HIV Testing. In many cases, Positive Life offers the only real and meaningful contact that those living with HIV have due to the overwhelming impact of the stigma around the condition here in Northern Ireland.
Leader of the Alliance Party in the Ards and North Down Borough Council, Councillor Andrew Muir commented:
“I welcome the decision by the full Ards and North Down Borough Council to light up Ards Town Hall and McKee Clock in red to mark World AIDS Day on 1 December each year. This follows recent engagement by myself and my Alliance Party colleagues with Positive Life. Lighting up both buildings is a small but important step in raising awareness and helping to end the stigma associated with HIV”.
Cllr Andrew Muir, Alliance Party
Chief Executive of Positive Life, Jacquie Richardson said:
“We are thrilled that Ards and North Down Borough Council have ratified the decision to light up the Ards Town Hall and the McKee Clock for World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for the world to come together and support those living with HIV. These actions at a local level are so important.”
“In Northern Ireland, HIV is a highly stigmatised issue. Many, through lack of education, still believe the myths from the past and therefore HIV is treated as a taboo subject. To have council buildings lit in red is a hugely symbolic gesture that shows people living with HIV are not alone and that they have support.”
“We would also like to extend our thanks to the Alliance Party representatives at Ards and North Down Borough Council for bringing this to the Council and for supporting Positive Life.”