WE BAND OF HIV BROTHERS

	WE BAND OF HIV BROTHERS
		Carers are the unsung heroes of the HIV epidemic. Now for the first time the Red Cross has given a special award to a South Londoner who has helped his friend cope with diagnosis, losing his job and being made homeless. Martin Flynn met them
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		There are as many as six million carers in Britain and thousands of people living with HIV across the country have partners or friends acting as official or unofficial carers to help them cope with the endless day-to-day dramas of living with the virus. These carers generally receive very little recognition or support for all
	Photo by Mauro Cocilio
	their hard work and this is causing them health problems, isolation, exhaustion and depression. Last month the Princess Royal Trust for Carers published a survey which found that one in four carers had suffered health problems and among people who care for a partner or relative the number of problems was much higher.
	But last November the British Red Cross for the first time recognised the carer of someone living with HIV by giving an award in a star-studded