An appeal is being made to the community to help pay for an HIV positive men’s retreat, which has lost its drug company funding. A “pop up” fundraiser is being held at DNA on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd on Wednesday, packed with cocktails, classy canapés and entertainment, to try and raise cash for the annual retreat at Long Bay. David Henderson from Body Positive says for a lot of men, it’s the first chance they get to meet other HIV positive guys. “Because they come from different parts of the country and sometimes quite rural areas,” he explains. “There’s also a big crowd, that this is a chance for them to get together and discuss problems with medication, or social services, any of that sort of thing. “It’s sad, but for some reason GlaxoSmithKline’s declined to carry on with their funding this year. I suspect they’re saying ‘recession, recession’, but, an oligarchy like them, surely the pittance we get. Particularly when it’s going straight to positive people themselves, who in effect are the ones they’re getting their money from.” The retreat incudes serious medical clinics and massage, as well as swimming, horse riding and socialising at the picturesque beach. Henderson says it’s important to have a bit of fun and be able to lighten the atmospheres, as a lot of the subjects spoken about over the weekend can be fairly heavy and hard work. “Now with the money cut right back there’s not much left for the fun bits, it has to first go to the serious bits. So this is what our fundraiser’s for, to help add a bit of levity and let us get a few bits that can lighten the mood.” The Pop Up festivities run from 6-8PM at DNA on Wednesday, ending with a prize draw before Cindy of Samoa takes over with karaoke. Tickets are $10 and are on sale from Body Positive House in Poynton Terrace, and at Eagle and DNA bars on K’ Rd. Henderson has given us a copy of the menu to whet the appetite: Jacqui Stanford - 20th February 2012