LONGON. The heart of London’s Victoria Park has pulsed with red today as participants united for the annual World AIDS Day Red Run.

The event was a powerful display of community, solidarity, and a renewed commitment to ending new HIV cases in the UK by 2030 and smashing the persistent stigma surrounding the virus.

Walkers, runners and rollers donned red attire to mark the occasion, raising vital funds for a coalition of over 25 HIV charities. This year’s turnout was spectacular, with crowds singing anti HIV stigma songs.

Since its inception in 2009, the Red Run has evolved into a pivotal event for the HIV sector, raising millions of pounds for support and prevention projects nationwide. It serves as both a celebration of the incredible advancements in treatment—making HIV a long-term manageable condition—and a solemn acknowledgment of the lives lost.

Among the numerous charities benefiting from the day’s monumental efforts was the African Equality Foundation (AEF), an organisation whose tireless work has become increasingly crucial to the UK’s wider equality landscape. AEF is dedicated to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of Multi-ethnic LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and refugees.

“Our presence at the Red Run underscores the fact that the fight against HIV stigma and the fight for racial and LGBTQ+ equality are deeply intertwined, ensuring a more inclusive response to HIV in all communities. AEF continues to stand as a beacon of hope and justice for those who have fled persecution, working hard to secure protection and raise awareness of the ongoing challenges,” Edwin Sessange, one of AEF’s founders said.

Organised primarily by Positive East, the Red Run unites the entire HIV charity sector, with every penny raised going directly to the participant’s chosen organisation.

While new diagnoses have fallen dramatically and the UK has surpassed key international targets for diagnosis and treatment, the battle against stigma remains a significant obstacle. Many attendees stressed that medical progress, exemplified by the ‘Undetectable = Untransmissible’ (U=U) message, must be matched by social acceptance. The sight of thousands of people running together, from all backgrounds and abilities, offered a clear message: that the stigma of HIV belongs in the past.

The day concluded with a collective sense of purpose, with many participants already pledging their involvement for next year. The energy and funds generated today are not just a measure of charity, but a tangible step towards a future where HIV is no longer a barrier to a full and thriving life.

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