How UKC celebrated ten years
 Jazz diva Lynn Holland wowed the audience |
 The birthday cake |
Over 500 people attended a glamorous party at London’s Heaven nightclub on Sunday 28 September to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and Aids (UKC).
Among those present were HIV activists and charity workers, local and national government officials, representatives from funders and stakeholders and numerous people who have supported the UKC over the years.
 Pos Nation editors Gus and Rose were drinks waiters |
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 The Global Fund’s Kate Thomson made a passionate speech thanking the UKC for its support |
UKC staff served champagne to guests as they arrived and volunteers from the charity Food Chain handed out delicious and healthy canapés.
Organised by David Hayes, the UKC community and events fundraiser, the party was a resounding success.
Bernard Forbes, chairman of the UKC Board, paid tribute to the individuals who set up the organisation and those who have worked so hard to make it so respected and successful today as the only national voice of all communities of people living with HIV in the UK.
 Bernard addresses the guests |
“I feel humbled and grateful to be here in front of you today,” Forbes said: “many people including many that I knew and loved were not so lucky.”
“The UKC has grown up,” he continued, “we are here for the long term and are concentrating on building effective partnerships that help to put the needs of people with HIV at the top of the agenda.”
“The UKC has always been about people - not politics, not a virus, not doctors and nurses and so on, but us and what we need.”
 Stephen addresses the guests |
 UKC Chief Exec and Chair Stephen Bitti and Bernard Forbes (with friends) flank the cake |
Stephen Bitti, chief executive, explained that the UKC is launching a challenge to companies and individuals within the British business community by asking them if they care to contribute advice, support, services or resources to assist the ongoing fight against HIV and Aids in the UK and worldwide.
 The scrum in the Departure Lounge |
The campaign, called DoUKCare, aims to raise funds for the UKC and Positive Nation magazine as well as continuing to support people living with the virus, raise awareness of the work of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria and lobby on behalf of HIV positive people with government in collaboration with other concerned organisations.
As part of the campaign the UKC also launched the ‘100,000 Club’ to ask individuals and commerce to each raise £100 per year for the UKC in support of the campaign aims.
Following speeches, the singer Lynn Holland, known as the English Edith Piaf, entertained the party crowd with delightful and moving songs.
A good time was had by all and, more importantly, the campaign for HIV positive people was turned up a gear and given new impetus.
