Marcia Hines and Ricki-Lee join forces for the Red Ribbon Appeal

Two of Australia's favourite singers have been announced as ambassadors for the Red Ribbon Appeal.

 

Singers Marcia Hines and Ricki-Lee Coulter are helping raise money for people with HIV as ambassadors for this year’s Red Ribbon Appeal.

Launching today, the Red Ribbon Appeal is a national event which takes place in the lead up to and on World AIDS Day (1 December). The Appeal is run by the AIDS Trust of Australia and state-based HIV/AIDS organisations such as ACON (formerly the AIDS Council of NSW).

Street collections will take place in Sydney on Friday 30 November and Saturday 1 December. Red ribbons can also be purchased online or in participating shops and businesses.

Ms Hines, who has been a much loved Red Ribbon ambassador for many years, will appear in TV ads on Foxtel/Austar and Network 10. Ms Coulter, who was a Red Ribbon envoy for the first time last year, will appear in print ads, posters and online.

Ms Hines says HIV is an issue which has affected her personally. “I’ve lost friends to HIV/AIDS and I have friends who are living with the virus,” Ms Hines says. “Right now there are almost 25,000 Australians living with HIV. When you take into account their partners, family, friends and carers, there are hundreds of thousands of people just here in Australia whose lives have been affected. And while there’s been some important medical advances in recent years, many people with HIV are doing it tough. The Red Ribbon Appeal is an opportunity for us to help these people as well as support programs that prevent the spread of HIV in our community.”  

Ms Coulter says it’s important that people get involved in activities which raise money for HIV services and increase awareness of the virus. “I have close friends and colleagues who are living with HIV and I’m honored and grateful to have this opportunity to encourage others to help out. As a public figure, I feel it’s important to use my voice to shine a light on important issues and by being a part of the Red Ribbon Appeal I hope I can help raise awareness of HIV and help people see that this is a very serious issue that so many people of all ages are still facing."

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says World AIDS Day and the Red Ribbon Appeal provide an opportunity for Australians to re-engage with HIV as a health and social issue. “By purchasing and wearing a red ribbon, by volunteering to sell ribbons on the street or in your workplace, or by attending a World AIDS Day event in your local area, you can help make a difference in the lives of people with HIV,” Mr Parkhill says. “Whatever your contribution, you’ll be helping to look after people in need as well as increasing awareness of HIV and the impact it has on people, families and our community.”       

 

How To Make A Difference

Make A Donation

You can buy red ribbons online, on the street, or in participating shops and businesses. Or you make a cash donation online.

Sell Red Ribbons

You can volunteer to sell ribbons on the street or you can order a countertop box and sell ribbons to your customers or colleagues.

Go To An Event

You can attend one of the many memorials, fundraising and awareness-raising events happening all around NSW.

For more information or to get involved, please visit: www.redribbonday.org.au