On the 9th December NLGBA and PIN celebrated World AIDS Day with a supper and charity auction to raise funds for the direct support PIN provides to those living with HIV & AIDS across the county. The event took place at Cagney’s restaurant, Northampton, with over 55 people attending, making the evening a huge success.

The auction was hosted by Liz Carol-Wheat and Jonathan Staples, radio presenters for BBC Northants, and together with donations made throughout the WAD campaign, raised £2600. This money was then distributed directly to 16 of PIN’s service users who were identified as being most vulnerable, particularly over the Christmas period. Many of these clients have no recourse to public funding, are living in unsuitable accommodation and have children, some of which are new born. With these donations the clients were able to purchase food for themselves and their families, pay for accommodation and buy baby milk and clothes for their children.

The event saw the first public performance of a short play written, directed and performed by Alamada Theatre Company. This powerful play depicting the lives of 3 people diagnosed with HIV paid homage to the strength and courage of all the people who have been touched by AIDS.

Two large-scale World AIDS Day Memorial Red Ribbons designed and made by young volunteers and mentors of the e-volution project were also on display. Guests were encouraged throughout the evening to write thoughts, poems and memorial pieces about HIV and AIDS with which to cover the ribbons.

The evening was rounded off by a moving poetry recital by local poet Anthony Roberts reading from his collection entitled I, a stranger.

A big thank you goes to Amir and all staff at Cagney’s, Liz Carol-Wheat and Jonathan Staples, Almadar Theatre Company and e-volution learners, everyone who donated lots for the auction and most importantly all those who bid and donated so generously.

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