EASTBOURNE'S mayor will lead a procession through the town wearing a red ribbon for World Aids Day on Tuesday (December 1).
The town hall clock will be illuminated red for the day and the procession will leave at 6.30pm and walk from Grove Road to the seafront.
Councillor Greg Szanto, mayor of Eastbourne, will lead the procession in remembrance and celebration of the liv
es of people who have died and those who live with HIV now.
Joining the procession will be members of the BourneOut Group, Faiths Forum, Eastbourne Cultural Community Network, Disability Involvement Group, Terrence Higgins Trust, councillors, officers and representatives of other public authorities and voluntary organisations in the town.
There will be light refreshments at the Hart pub in Cavendish Place after the event followed by an evening of entertainment.
Cllr Szanto said, "HIV can affect anybody, at any age and it is right and proper that we have a day set aside each year to especially remember those who have died of Aids, and show our support for those who live with HIV.
"In the UK alone there were 7,700 new cases diagnosed in 2008, with one in ten of these from among young people aged 16 – 24.
"I am pleased to be leading a procession in support of World Aids Day."
George Chapman, member of the BourneOut Group, added, "World Aids Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education."
