The Governor General pitches in on collection day Despite a growing demand for support for the increasing number of people living with HIV and AIDS, indications are that less money has been raised this year by the World AIDS Day street collection. The money raised in the annual street collection and associated events to support financially stressed people living with HIV and AIDS is expected to have continued the downwards trend of recent years. The overwhelming majority of people in New Zealand living with HIV and AIDS are gay and bi men. The collection, held last Friday, is organised by the NZ AIDS Foundation in conjunction with the world-wide annual World AIDS Day on December 1st. In 2009 it raised just under $38,000 and in 2010 just under $33,000 was collected. Friday's street collection went "very smoothly," a spokesperson for the NZAF says. "There were strong cold winds in Auckland and Wellington and some rain which may have put people off having lunch outside but the overall feedback has been very positive. We expect the collection proceeds to be slightly less than 2010 but we won't be able to confirm the money received until approximately 8 December." Proceeds from outside the main centres "such as Gore, Invercargill, Tolaga Bay, and gay venues" need to be received before a final total is available. The NZAF says there are also "events which will be running until 4 December" and some which take place "for up to week after 1 December." This year's proceeds will be split between the NZAF support services and the Wellness Fund which is a financial source of last resort for financially stressed people living with HIV and AIDS. Responsibility for the Fund was earlier this year transferred from the NZAF to the National Collective of People Living with HIV/AIDS. The Fund had historically received all World AIDS Day collection proceeds.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 29th November 2011 - 1:39pm