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PHOTO OF WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT 2019 COURTESY OF NICK FORD PHOTOGRAPHY
44 Gscene
“This year Lunch Positive has been busier than ever, supporting the largest number of people ever in its 11th year. This would have been impossible without the support of the WAD Concert. Thank you everyone for caring and supporting our grassroots community work, and the great impact on many hundreds of people with HIV.”
BEV MORGAN
World Aids Day Concert 2020
several months due to lockdown, is now up and running again – working in entirely new ways, and continuing to reach, involve and support new people every week.
With a joint in-person performance from our LGBTQ+ choirs not possible this World Aids Day, organisers have something up their sleeves - a virtual event - to raise vital funds for HIV lunch club Lunch Positive and unite our LGBTQ+ communities. We catch up with those responsible for pulling it all together and keeping our communities in tune...
“The impact of Covid has been devastating for many people, and has had a serious impact for many local voluntary organisations that provide vital support for some of the most vulnerable people in our LGBTQ+ community. “Sadly Covid restrictions mean it isn’t possible for us to hold this year’s concert in St Mary’s as usual, though we’re planning an exciting virtual event, the proceeds of which will go to Lunch Positive.
“Raising money for Lunch Positive, the concert has grown from a joint performance of the Rainbow Chorus, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and the AGMC to an extravaganza showcasing many of the LGBTQ+ musical groups from the local area. “This year such an event is clearly not possible but the organisers are working on a virtual event to unite the community. The organisers are hoping to include the other local groups as before and invite viewers to make a contribution to carry on the good work of Lunch Positive. “Watch out for details on social media!” Nick Paget, chair of AGMC, added “On WAD every year, we’re proud to stand with our fellow singers and choruses, helping to fund
“While we can’t sing for everyone in person at St Mary’s, we hope that this year - whether you would have attended or not - you might consider giving whatever you can to this great cause in what has been an incredibly tough year, not least for charities.” Gary Pargeter, beneficiary of the WAD Concert and founder of Lunch Positive, said: “The WAD Concert continues to have a massive impact on the health and wellbeing of hundreds of people with HIV who use Lunch Positive. “Lunch Positive has remained highly active throughout the entire year, hugely increasing its reach and support within the community. Covid-19 has resulted in a huge mobilisation of the Lunch Positive volunteer team who have been preparing up to 600 meals a week, delivering these and groceries to people at home who are vulnerable and isolated. Essential new initiatives such as telephone and one-to-one befriending projects have emerged, and hundreds of hours have been given in reaching out to people who are lonely and otherwise without support. The unique weekly HIV lunch club, paused for
“RC is proud to be working together with other choirs to support Lunch Positive - these are incredibly tough times and we hope everyone will support this event and donate what they can.”
NICK FORD
“For many years the town has remembered those it has lost to HIV and supported those still living with it on December 1 with the Reading of the Names at the memorial in New Steine Gardens followed by a concert in St Mary’s church just a few steps away.
GARY PARGETER
IAN GROVES
Chorus (AGMC), said: “We’re fast approaching December 1 and World Aids Day (WAD), one of the landmark events of the year in Brighton & Hove.
NICK PAGET
Lunch Positive so they can keep doing their amazing work supporting those affected by, and living with, HIV. We think about those we have loved and lost and ensure the legacy that what is remembered lives on.
) Ian Groves, director of Actually Gay Men’s
Bev Morgan, chair of the Rainbow Chorus, said: “The WAD Concert that we work with BGMC and AGMC to coordinate each year is a really important event in the local LGBTQ+ calendar. It’s a chance for us to remember and show our support for all those affected by, and living with HIV, with many other local LGBTQ+ choirs and performers also taking part.
Nick Ford, chair of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “It’s a real disappointment to us all that we can’t sing at St Mary’s to mark WAD. With all of our different concerts, groups and events, it’s become a real highlight in the LGBTQ+ calendar to perform together and join with the community to commemorate those we’ve lost, and raise much needed funds for Lunch Positive.” D www.lunchpositive.org f @lunchclubfriends D www.actuallygmc.org f @ActuallyGMC D www.brightongmc.org f @BrightonGMC D www.rainbowchorus.org.uk f @RainbowChorus
