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Story by Paul Nelson |
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11 million children have been orphaned by AIDS around the
world, and yet everybody seems to think the problem has gone away.
It hasn't.
I hope I can help attract attention back to this terrible disease, to what
it is doing to women and children all over the world. - Madonna,
Crusaid Patron.
SUNDAY, June 23 sees Crusaid's annual Walk for Life. Each year
thousands of people, including many of the UK's favourite celebrities, stroll,
walk and, in some cases, dash through the streets of London raising money
for one of the UK's largest charities fighting HIV and AIDS.
The 10km walk begins at the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank at 4pm.
Taking in sights such as the Millennium Bridge, the City and The Tower. The
walk finishes with an exclusive private event in the luxurious surroundings
of the HAC Ground (EC1) where a fabulous party will be held for participants,
with live music, dancing, DJs, a main stage featuring a full programme of
entertainment with very special surprise guests, complementary therapists,
fully licensed bar and a discounted barbecue and rides at the resident funfair.
Last year's Walk For Life raised well over a quarter of a million pounds and
remains Europe's largest mass fundraising event for HIV and AIDS causes. It
provides direct help to many Crusaid schemes including the National Hardship
Fund, for people living in the UK in need of financial support as a result
of AIDS, nationwide projects vital in the care of people with HIV and the
launch and continuation of education campaigns across the world giving young
people the knowledge they need to protect themselves. The money also contributes
to the global effort to find a vaccine for AIDS.
Recent initiatives include the funding of one of South Africa's first clinics
which prevents mother to baby transmission of the HIV virus and will provide
counselling facilities to 150 sufferers of HIV and AIDS.
In previous years, many people have walked in teams formed from families,
school and college groups, pubs, clubs and workplaces. Last year's walk was
started by Eastenders star Lucy Benjamin and she was joined on the walk by
many familiar faces including members of the cast of Eastenders and a host
of TV presenters and recording artists.
High profile supporters of Crusaid's work will also attend this year's walk.
As well
as Madonna, Crusaid's patrons include Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Sharleen
Spiteri, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Joanna Lumley OBE, Matthew Williamson, Josh
Rafter and Nicholas Hytner.
Crusaid is very happy to announce that the individual who raises the most
sponsorship money is also being offered a prize package of a pair of tickets
to see Madonna in Up For Grabs, as well as dinner at Mezzo and a night
at a top London hotel.
For further information and to register yourself for the Walk For Life log on to www.walkforlife.co.uk - the site features updates, links, e-fundraising and a registration form. You can also call 0870 011 0022 for the Walk For Life registration service.
