Today's the biggest fundraising day of the year for New Zealand's HIV/AIDS charities, as the entire staff of the NZ AIDS Foundation and Body Positive - along with dozens of big-hearted volunteers - are taking to the streets. Street spirit: Dr. Peter Saxton on Ponsonby Road They're armed with red ribbons and donation buckets, asking for donations from generous donations from Kiwis on the streets of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all day today. "Our team was up early this morning to catch to commuters off to work," says NZAF senior reseacher Dr. Peter Saxton, who spoke to GayNZ.com from the corner of Ponsonby and Franklin Roads this morning. "It's been all smiles, and people giving what they can spare. I've been alternating between approaching people to ask for their change, or just shaking the bucket. Either way, I've been very impressed by how generous people are." The proceeds of the NZAF World AIDS Day Street Appeal benefit the Wellness Fund which provides grants for non-subsidised treatments and expenses to people living with HIV. Funds raised at other World AIDS Day events benefit NZAF HIV prevention initiatives. Tonight Auckland's favourite drag divas will also shake their buckets from 5pm until 7pm around the Viaduct Harbour, and will hit Ponsonby and K' Road after that. Meanwhile, Wellington's red ribbon crew will do their annual "pub and club run" in the early evening from 5.30pm until 7.30pm, when teams of collectors go in to the pubs in central Wellington, including on Cuba Street. Likewise, Christchurch's bars will also be visited by bucket-shakers from 5pm until 7:30pm this evening. GayNZ.com's complete guide to what's happening around New Zealand for World AIDS Day 2009 is here.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 27th November 2009 - 11:11am