Here are a few facts about MUSICAID:

MUSICAID grew out of the success of the first Stoke on Trent World AIDS Day Concert of classical music in 1995.

· In 1996 it had the support of BAFTA award winning actress Cheryl Campbell (Chariots of Fire, Testament of Youth, Pennies From Heaven)

· Last year it enjoyed the support of Michael Cashman (actor – Colin - the first gay character in Eastenders - and now our local M.E.P)

· The National AIDS Trust of Great Britain also supported MUSICAID with a World AIDS Day grant.

· 1998 saw concerts staged for the first time in both North and South Staffordshire. They succeeded not only in involving more people, but the amount of money raised allowed £1,000 to be donated to local AIDS Charities and other associated HIV projects.

 

The approaching Millennium seemed an appropriate time for MUSICAID to make an extra special effort on all fronts.

  • It has been given a grant of £1,900 by the Millennium Awards For All Committee to cover the expenses of the concerts being staged at St Peter’s Church, Stoke –Thursday 25th November and Lichfield Cathedral on World AIDS Day itself – Wednesday 1st December. (Both concerts start at 7.30pm.)

Both concerts involve many children and young people. In keeping with this global campaign, MUSICAID has also invited worldwide support. There has been a fantastic response in the many good will messages received from religious and political leaders as well as such celebrities such as Jonathan Grimshaw MBE, Sir Ian McKellen, Cheryl Campbell and Michael Cashman.

The MUSICAID World AIDS Day concerts have provided an opportunity each year for Staffordshire Buddies Volunteers, BP Staffordshire and everyone affected by HIV to come together in a joint fund generating and awareness raising event which has always been enjoyable and successful.

There are fewer events taking place in Stoke on Trent than last year so, why don’t you join us at St Peter’s Church Stoke or at Lichfield Cathedral and be part of our biggest ever worldwide event as we approach the Millennium?

Maurice