Over one hundred volunteers hit the streets around the country on Friday collecting for World AIDS Day which is observed today. World AIDS Day is held annually on the 1st December and is an opportunity for people across the world to untie in the fight against HIV, to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died. The theme this year continues to be 'Getting to Zero,' with the NZ AIDS Foundation saying that with new prevention and treatments New Zealand could lead the way in achieving the goal of zero new infections. Proceeds from Friday’s collection will be used by the NZ AIDS Foundation and Body Positive to help fund their support services provided to people with HIV. The money raised by NZAF will be used to fund the work done by their counselling and testing centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Funds raised by Body Positive will be put into the Wellness Fund where it is available for last resort financial assistance for HIV-positive people regardless of their gender, sexuality or location around the country. The total figures from this years collection are due to be released in the coming weeks.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 1st December 2015 - 7:06pm