Red Ribbon Appeal Raises $80,000

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 4th December, 2007

Over $80,000 has been raised for HIV prevention work and services for people living with HIV/AIDS in NSW thanks to the public’s support of this year’s Red Ribbon Appeal and AIDS Awareness Week activities.

Culminating on World AIDS Day last Saturday 1 December, the seven-day fundraising drive for ACON saw over 15,000 people in NSW purchase Red Ribbon merchandise or make a donation – a huge pat on the back to all of you who did.

Of course, the 150 volunteers who sold ribbons and wristbands at 20 locations in Sydney and throughout NSW deserve massive thanks. Over 245 businesses sold Red Ribbon merchandise throughout the week via counter boxes too. A series of special benefit events in Sydney and throughout the state also contributed to the result. And in a moving tribute to those lost to HIV/AIDS, more than 100 people attended the Candlelight memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park.

ACON President Adrian Lovney says while the amount of money raised was down on last year’s total, it’s encouraging that so many people were prepared to offer their support.

“Last year was a huge result for us both in terms of the money we raised and the number of volunteers who helped out,” he says.

“It was always going to be hard to match that outcome as there’s a lot of competition in the charity sector these days. We also missed out this year on the increased impact of having the street appeal on World AIDS Day itself. And of course the rain that fell intermittently throughout the day didn’t help either.

“But we still managed to get a good result in terms of money raised. Also, keeping people aware of HIV/AIDS as a local and global issue is the most important aspect of the whole exercise and our efforts, as well as those of other agencies, certainly helped to achieve that.

“So we’re extremely grateful to all the volunteers and everyone else who contributed their time, money and effort to this year’s Red Ribbon Appeal and AIDS Awareness Week activities.”

Donations are still being taken for the Red Ribbon Appeal online at www.redribbonday.org.au

And if you’d like to become an ACON volunteer, please contact ACON on 1800 063 060 or acon@acon.org.au

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