A SPECIAL event was held to mark World AIDS Day 2008 in Bolton, helping to raise awareness of the disease and HIV.

People living with HIV joined Dr Emile Morgan, lead clinician and HIV consultant at Royal Bolton Hospital, and others to mark the 21st anniversary of the day.

The event was held in the Festival Hall of the town hall to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by HIV.

It aimed to increase awareness of the conditions and work towards ending stigma and discrimination.

Experiences and expertise were shared by speakers and information on AIDS and HIV was available.

Exhibitors included the George House Trust, one of the North-west’s leading HIV charities and the largest outside London, as well as Bolton Racial Equality Council, the Royal Bolton Hospital and The Lesbian and Gay Foundation.

African artefacts made by people affected by HIV and poverty were also on display.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Anthony Connell, officially opened the event on Monday.

The George House Trust displayed the UK’s AIDS Memorial Quilts, which are part of a bigger collection inspired by the World AIDS Memorial Quilt. It contains more than 40,000 colourful panels, each commemorating the life of a person who died of AIDS.

Shops and offices across the town, including Boots, Debenhams and council buildings, including the One Stop Shop, have red ribbon donation boxes, with people donating £1 in return for a red ribbon to support the day. The proceeds will go to the George House Trust.