During the two days around World AIDS Day sixty five MPs took part HIV related events, ranging from playing in a freezing football match against the UN to mark the day, to speaking in a debate about HIV in their constituencies.

The APPG organised a parliamentary football match, a Westminster Hall debate on HIV in the UK and an evening reception on the international prevention of mother to child transmission. It also supported THT’s reception, the night before World AIDS Day.

“We’ve been really thrilled with the response this year,” said Veronica Oakeshott, Policy Adivser to the Group, who has overseen three World AIDS Days in parliament. “MPs were really going out of their way – not only showing up to events, but writing carefully considered speeches and even going ahead with a World AIDS Day football match despite the driving snow, to show they cared.”

The events also served to build links between a large number of outside partners and MPs – such as HIVsport, The Stop AIDS Campaign, (RED), THT, NAT and Durex - all of whom and more contributed to making the events a success.