Want to help make a difference that will last forever? By volunteering for the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal, you can help eliminate HIV transmission in NSW.

World AIDS Day takes place every year on 1 December and HIV prevention and support organisation ACON is currently recruiting volunteers to help out with the annual Red Ribbon Street Appeal which this year will take place on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 December.

Volunteers are needed in central Sydney and across regional NSW to sell ribbons and collect donations at selected locations. All volunteers need to do is donate a few hours of their time on either or both days. Morning, lunchtime and evening shifts are available. For more information and to register visit: www.redribbonappeal.org.au

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the event is the organisation’s most important fundraising activity for the year: “The money we raise through the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal is vital to the work of ACON as it helps us run programs and services that are essential to ending the HIV epidemic in NSW,” Mr Parkhill says.

“Thanks to recent advances in HIV treatments and testing technologies, we now have the ability to virtually eliminate HIV transmission in NSW by the end of the decade. But to realise this goal, we need to get people to test often, treat early and stay safe. And to do that, we need to expand our rapid testing services, increase education about the benefits of early treatment and get more gay men to practice safe sex.

“The more funds we have to support this work, the more effective our work will be. And the more volunteers we have on the street for World AIDS Day, the more funds we can raise. It’s also a really fun way to meet new people and help make a difference. So please join us and help make HIV history by getting involved in this year’s Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal.

“You can even get your friends and workmates involved and have a fun day out. And if you work in a large company, you can encourage all your colleagues to get involved through a community service initiative. You can even ask your employer if they’ll match the funds you’ve raised through a community fundraising initiative.

“If you want to help sell ribbons in your workplace, ACON can deliver counter top boxes with red ribbons to your business premises. You can then encourage your colleagues and customers to purchase a ribbon in the lead up to and on World AIDS Day. Then after World AIDS Day, we come and pick up the box as well as the money you’ve raised.

“Any contribution helps us to help others so please be generous and volunteer to be part of our team for World AIDS Day.”

Volunteer Info

• The 2016 Red Ribbon Street Appeal will take place on Thu 1 and Fri 2 Dec.
• Volunteers will be selling ribbons and merchandise and taking donations.
• Shifts are available in a range of locations in Sydney’s CBD and inner suburbs as well as selected locations throughout regional NSW.
• Morning, lunchtime and evening shifts are available.
• Businesses can order counter top boxes stocked with ribbons and merchandise.
• For more information and to register visit: redribbonappeal.org.au

ENDS