Caroline gave the opening speech at the ‘You, Me and HIV’ event - organised by AVERT, the Brighton World AIDS Day Community Partnership, and several international organisations - on Brighton Level from 2pm.

Volunteers laid out an AIDS awareness ribbon measuring 45 metres - the world’s largest. 

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

“I’m extremely proud to be taking part in World AIDS Day.

“WAD is about remembering those who have died, and supporting those for whom HIV and AIDS, along with the associated stigma, prejudice and financial hardship, remain a daily reality. Brighton and Hove has the highest prevalence of people with HIV outside of London and yet around one in five does not know he or she has the virus. If people are diagnosed and treated in time, they can now live a normal life span, and infectiousness can be reduced by 96%.

“The red ribbon is a reminder that we must continue to make this a priority. So on World Aids Day 2013 I want to particularly pay tribute to all the excellent prevention and early diagnosis work already happening in our city, as well as the continued commitment to further improvements.”