On Sunday 26th November, Staffordshire Buddies organised a display in the Potteries Centre utilising the UNAIDS theme “MEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE” Sarah Beech told Positive Lives that there had been a good response from the general public and £240 was raised.

In a new venture that raises awareness about HIV & AIDS in a different way from the concerts that it has promoted over the past five years, MUSICAID launched a website for World AIDS Day 2000.

The site covers the story of MUSICAID so far, acknowledging those who have contributed to its success. It has a page devoted to World AIDS Day 2000 supporting this year’s UNAIDS theme “AIDS: MEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE,” a two year campaign focussing on the ways that men can change the course of the epidemic. It also has a questions and answers page giving information about HIV & AIDS.

On Friday 1st December, the Stoke Team Ministry and Churches Together in Stoke with MUSICAID presented a service of worship and music at St. Peter’s Church Stoke-on-Trent. The event was well supported with children from local schools taking part.

Students at Keele and Staffordshire Universities held awareness raising events promoting the wearing of red ribbons. Staffordshire University Students Union collected £400. At Keele there was the annual lunchtime service on World AIDS Day in the University Chapel.

Staffordshire Buddies organised the now customary World AIDS Day candlelit vigil at Upper Fountain Square Hanley, which drew a diverse group of people of all ages and backgrounds. Sarah Beech said that the event was well supported; the readings, the candles and the placing of red ribbons on the trees created an atmosphere of warmth that defied the inclement weather.

Keith Groom, organiser of the event said the vigil effortlessly travelled through the theme ‘Men Make A Difference’ with readings highlighting the contributions made by individual men, including a touching tribute to the gay men who did so much to establish support and challenge prejudice in the early 80’s. He said that it was good to see so many sectors of the community present. Keith was amused to discover that his convincing delivery of an extract from Derek Jarman’s diary was taken as a direct attack at some unruly teenagers. Although he claims to have done nothing more than read the lines in character, the youngsters, scared by his voice, took to their heels and fled.

Keith said that this year he missed joining up with the students’ vigil at Stoke. He felt the candlelit procession from Hanley to Staffordshire University Campus was something very moving and special. Perhaps next year this might happen again and maybe local radio might wish to record or broadcast the event live. Next year too, Keith suggests that offering incense sticks in addition to candles might add another dimension to the event and provide a possible solution to the problem of keeping a candle blowing in the wind.

On Tuesday 12th December Stoke on Trent College gave a concert to commemorate World AIDS Day 2000. Members of staff joined together to present an enjoyable evening of music that also raised awareness around HIV and AIDS at the Moorlands Road Campus. The concert also produced £50 for MUSICAID’s drive to give support to HIV/AIDS projects in Southern Africa.