Final fundraising for out of hours sexual health clinic
Gay revellers will be asked to put their hand in their pocket to raise funds for the doctors, nurses and testing kits for the first year of the UK’s only weekend and evening sexual health clinic at Pride London this Saturday.
Pride London and Health Initiatives have launched the final stage of a fundraising campaign for the clinic, which already has premises and the rent in place.
Pride London will be promoting the campaign via its website and on the stages at the event.
Paul Birrell, Chair of Pride London commented:
“We are particularly excited to be part of this campaign.
“Access to safer-sex advice and testing is vital, particularly as we seem to be becoming complacent to the dangers of HIV and other sexual transmitted diseases.
“This isn’t about advice of leaflets – it’s a practical step to provide a clinic that’s open when people want it.
“If everyone who attends Pride London this year sends a text, Health Initiatives will be able to provide this valuable service for many years to come.
“It costs less than half a pint of beer in the West End – there really is no excuse.”
The campaign is looking for 50,000 people prepared to be a hero and text ‘hi clinic’ to 84424.
The clinic will seek to address a shortfall in provision of service to young people at risk from HIV/AIDS.
The sexual health of young people in London is determined by many factors and Health Initiative’s new clinic will also provide education and counselling to reinforce the importance of safety and risk reduction behaviours for young people receiving an HIV negative test result.
Currently there are no weekend HIV testing and emergency PEP services for young people.
Clint Walter, Founder of Health Initiatives, said:
“We are excited and proud to be working with Pride this year to support our campaign to provide HIV & sexual health services for young people in the heart of London.
“By providing testing facilities outside the typical NHS GUM services will make accessing medical services much easier and help prevent future HIV infections.
“Please whip out your phone now and make us all proud.”
Text ‘hi clinic’ to 84424.
