Memorial walk to mark World Aids Day

A memorial walk to observe World Aids Day is being held.

Communities in Wolverhampton will gather to "honour and remember" those affected by HIV and AIDS, but also raise awareness about the impact of the disease.

"It's a chance to connect, a chance to socialise and share because for some elders in the community they will remember the height of the disease," Alex Poller, Wolverhampton LGBT+ hub coordinator, said.

The walk will start at 14:00 GMT on Sunday by the bandstand at West Park, Wolverhampton, and end with a vigil held by Decon Linda Gilson, at the Aid's Memorial Tree.

HIV and Aids came to global attention in the 1980s and has infected nearly 75 million people.

The event has been arranged by Wolverhampton Methodist Circuit, City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton LGBT+.

"I'm by no means a queer elder, but old enough to understand why it's important for people who didn't get to experience those things to understand why what we're doing now is important and where it comes from," Alex Poller said.

"It's an opportunity to learn about the rich queer history in Wolverhampton that many people may not know about, like West Park having an AIDS memorial tree planted in the 80s which I wasn't aware of until last year."

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