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World AIDS Day With Terrence Higgins Trust

This World AIDS Day, Terrence Higgins Trust is reflecting over its 40 years and how the charity's focus has developed

Forty years ago, Terry Higgins became the first named person in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness after he passed away on 4th July 1982.

Terry's partner, Rupert Whitaker, and their friend, Martyn Butler, set up Terrence Higgins Trust in his name to humanise the epidemic at a time when hysteria was rife. They wanted to share information about this new and scary virus and to ultimately save lives. Four decades on, Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity.

Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said, "This year we've been remembering Terry Higgins four decades on from his death and celebrating all the incredible impact our charity has made in his name. Today our charity's work is very different to 40 years ago, but people and community remain at its heart.

"You can now live a long, healthy life with HIV and effective treatment means the virus can't be passed on to partners. But stigma and out-dated views remain prevalent – and that's something we're doing all we can to change by amplifying the experiences of those directly impacted through our programmes of work, as well as in the media and on Twitter (opens in new tab), Instagram (opens in new tab) and Facebook (opens in new tab)."

Postcode Hero

Earlier this year, Welsh rugby star and HIV campaigner Gareth Thomas was named this year's Postcode Hero at the annual People's Postcode Lottery Charity Gala. The award recognises Gareth's impactful work to tackle HIV stigma while the £250,000 donation to Terrence Higgins Trust will help to change lives.

The charity is striving for a future where:

There are no new HIV cases,
People living with HIV have the support they need,
Everyone can access good quality sexual and reproductive health services and information tailored to their individual needs,
HIV, sexual and reproductive health are free from shame and stigma, and
Where everyone in the charity respects and values diversity, creating an environment that is inclusive of all.

Player Support

The funding from players of People's Postcode Lottery is already supporting four key projects with Terrence Higgins Trust. These are the charity's helpline THT Direct, a hardship fund for those living with HIV and experiencing poverty, plus counselling and psychotherapy services, volunteering programmes and its Positive Voices project where people living with HIV tackle stigma head-on by sharing their stories in schools and workplaces.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day on 1st December is a key point in the year to remember all the millions of lives lost to HIV since the start of the epidemic. It is also a time to galvanise support and commit to doing the work necessary to end new HIV cases by 2030 in the UK and to tackle the stigma and discrimination still surrounding the virus. For more information about how to get involved this World AIDS Day, visit the Terrence Higgins Trust Website (opens in new tab).

Making A Difference

People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Terrence Higgins Trust make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities which our players support.