Over 33 million people are infected with HIV, over 2 million are children and millions more are affected by this devastating virus. In the UK alone there are 80,000 reported cases and the number increases every year.

This year's World Aids Day theme is ‘Universal Access and Human Rights'. Today let us unite to help the world fight against HIV/AIDS by ensuring that human rights are protected - violence against human rights fuel the spread of HIV.

In 2008 it was estimated that 2 million people died from Aids, mostly under the age of 35, half of them not reaching their twenty-fifth birthday. 2.7 million new cases were reported last year.

Good HIV education is the key; by encouraging people to be tested, challenging the discrimination and removing the stigma can make a significant impact. Schools, groups and companies must make use of the materials available - education leads to empowerment, helping to ensure that the global target for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

RESPECT - PROTECT

Help us to protect and prevent losing the next generation.

Jane Kaye-Bailey
Founder of The Butterfly Tree