The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan cut the start ribbon to this year’s World AIDS Day Red Run last Saturday when the annual fundraising event returned to Victoria Park. Nearly 2,000 people took part in this year’s event running on the 5km or 10 km routes and raising over £103,000 for HIV support services. The Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “The Red Run is a fantastic event that raises awareness and funding for HIV organisations across the country. It’s vital that we support the excellent work being done to end the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS and improve the lives of people living with HIV in our city.”
The 2018 Red Run, which was the 9th year of the event, was hosted by the iconic girl drag band Denim and Jim Stanton from Horse Meat Disco and Eagle London provided the music. There were also four panels of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt on display, a pop-up AIDS Memorial and a small display of HIV and AIDS public health poster campaigns from the Wellcome Collection. Mark Santos, Director of Positive East, said: “The World AIDS Day Red Run has become so much more than just a charity 10k run. It’s an important community event that brings together people and charities fighting against HIV stigma, tackling onward HIV transmission and providing much needed care and direct support. We’re honoured that Mayor Khan has lent his support to this annual community event.”
The Red Run is the only event of its kind in the UK uniting the HIV sector, creating a platform for HIV organisations across the country to raise awareness and vital funds for their work. Participating charities included Positive East, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Brigstowe, Spectra, Terrence Higgins Trust, National AIDS Trust, Food Chain, 56 Dean Street, GMFA, Rain Trust, TheatreMAD, PositivelyUK, NAZ, The Crescent, Sussex Beacon, Riverhouse Trust, Wandsworth Oasis, Prepster, Metro, StopAIDS, Mildmay, NAM Aidsmap, AIDS Orphan, Living Well, Positive 21, CHIVA, Switchboard – the LGBT+ Helpline, Positive Health, St Peters House Project, mothers2mothers, dhiverse, TackleAfrica, Brunswick Centre, Grassroots Soccer, Sophia Forum, NLTSG, Youth Stop AIDS, Bloomsbury Network and the African Advocacy Foundation.
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