Yesterday was World Aids Day, and we’re looking back at how the event has been marked in Cumbria and beyond.

Alison Hornby from Barrow Sixth Form makes a dress from red ribbons for World Aids DayAlison Hornby from Barrow Sixth Form makes a dress from red ribbons for World Aids Day (Image: Sheenah Alcock)

The day honours all those who have lost their lives to Aids (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and those who are infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It also raises awareness of the pandemic and the spread of the virus and aims to break misconceptions by educating people on prevention and control.

Barrow Sixth Form students perform the play The Lizard's Eye for World Aids DayBarrow Sixth Form students perform the play The Lizard's Eye for World Aids Day (Image: Sheenah Alcock)
In 1987, three years after the HIV virus was discovered, James Bunn and Thomas Netter, two officers of the Global Programme on Aids, came up with the idea for World Aids Day as a way to raise international awareness and to educate people on the virus.

Barrow Sixth Form student Laura Elfleet works on a piece for a World Aids Day exhibitionBarrow Sixth Form student Laura Elfleet works on a piece for a World Aids Day exhibition (Image: Sheenah Alcock)

The idea gained the approval of Dr Jonathan Mann, director of the organisation, and the date of December 1 was chosen as they believed it would gain attention and media coverage, as it falls between the US elections and the Christmas holidays.

Denise Van Outen and fellow cast members from the musical Rent highlighted World Aids DayDenise Van Outen and fellow cast members from the musical Rent highlighted World Aids Day (Image: PA)
It is estimated that around 38 million people around the world live with the HIV virus, and over 35 million have lost their lives to Aids or HIV since 1984. As a sexually transmitted disease associated with the gay community, people have been fighting stigma and discrimination around HIV and Aids for all these years, and many laws have been passed to protect those who are infected.

Dannii Minogue linked up with the Terrence Higgins Trust to launch the third World Aids Day Ribbon Campaign in 2006Dannii Minogue linked up with the Terrence Higgins Trust to launch the third World Aids Day Ribbon Campaign in 2006 (Image: PA)
World Aids Day helps to erase the stigma, educates people on the facts about the virus and how to protect themselves against it, and brings to light the scientific advances that have been made in HIV treatment and prevention since the virus was discovered. 

Siphiwe Hlophe, who was HIV positive, with Douglas Alexander, secretary of state for international development, with a giant red ribbon for World Aids DaySiphiwe Hlophe, who was HIV positive, with Douglas Alexander, secretary of state for international development, with a giant red ribbon for World Aids Day (Image: PA)

It also reminds people and governments that the number of new people infected with HIV each year is still significant, and action needs to be taken to fight this.

Kanokkorn Kobhiran in a dress made of more than 2,500 condoms in Thailand to mark World Aids DayKanokkorn Kobhiran in a dress made of more than 2,500 condoms in Thailand to mark World Aids Day (Image: PA)
The red ribbon is widely recognised around the world as the symbol for HIV and Aids and many wear one on World Aids Day.

A Pakistani woman clad in a full burqa takes part in an Aids awareness campaign eventA Pakistani woman clad in a full burqa takes part in an Aids awareness campaign event (Image: PA)
Every year, after discussions with UNAIDS, the WHO, and other organisations, the World Aids Campaign chooses a theme to observe. These have ranged from “Stop Aids. Keep the Promise” in 2005-2008, to “My Health, My Right” for World Aids Day 2017, and more recently “Communities make the difference” in 2019.