British soul singer and actress, Beverley Knight MBE, been announced as a Patron of Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity.

The collaboration comes following the passing of her close friend from an AIDS-related illness, Beverley will use her role to help end HIV transmission and to support people to live well with HIV in the UK.

A 3X MOBO award-winner, Beverley said: “I lost a very good friend, Tyrone, in 2003 from an AIDS-related illness, and that loss still affects me very deeply now.

“Tyrone leaned on Terrence Higgins Trust quite heavily because of his own HIV status, and he’s the person that brought the charity and their great work to my attention.

Beverley Knight joins the fight against HIV and AIDS
Beverley Knight

There are more than 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK. Advances in HIV medication mean that people with the virus can live long and healthy lives, however the devastating impact of stigma cannot be underestimated. Recent YouGov surveys by Terrence Higgins Trust show how outdated attitudes to HIV are. Thirty per cent of British adults believe you can get HIV from sharing a toothbrush, while 40% would be uncomfortable going on a date with someone living with HIV on effective treatment. Only 9% were aware that people on effective HIV treatment cannot pass it on.

Beverley, whose latest album, Soulsville, features the song, When I See You Again, inspired by her late friend Tyrone, has spoken out about the impact of HIV stigma and how it can put people off testing for the virus.

Beverley Knight joins the fight against HIV and AIDS

She said: ““I think the main challenge around HIV is stigma – stigma is terrible. It’s a real problem because until we get past the stigma we can’t get people to admit to themselves that they could or do have the virus, and therefore need to have a test and get effective treatment.

“Some people just don’t think it will ever happen to them, so that’s why HIV awareness needs to be at the forefront of people’s minds now more than ever.”

With one in seven people living with HIV unaware they have it, testing early for the virus is vital to getting people onto effective treatment to ensure they are healthy, and to stop them passing on the virus to others.

Beverley added: “I hope that there is enough passion and experience in what I say, so when I speak about HIV people will listen. I want to rouse people from their slumber and get them to face the reality of HIV head on instead of putting their heads in the sand.”

To find out more about Terrence Higgins Trust’s work, visit www.tht.org.uk.

Beverley’s new album Soulsville is out now, and she will be touring the UK in October 2017.

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