Celebrities back Brighton HIV awareness campaign

Celebrity baker John Whaite is backing the poster campaign

A campaign has been launched in Brighton aimed at helping end misconceptions about HIV.

Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK's leading HIV charity, is putting posters up across the city to educate people that "those living with HIV on medication cannot pass on the virus during sex".

The campaign is being supported by Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite and Ollie King, who appeared on the TV reality show I Kissed A Boy.

Richard Angell, the charity's chief executive, said: "There is still so much stigma around HIV, but we're on a mission to change that."

"Most people are still really surprised that people living with HIV on treatment cannot pass it on during sex but it's true," he said.

Modern HIV medication reduces the level of virus in a person's body to such a low level that they can live a long, healthy life and cannot pass it on during sex, according to the charity.

Terrence Higgins Trust provides HIV testing and support for people living with HIV out of its Ship Street office in Brighton and across the UK.

Sue Hunter, a Brighton resident living with HIV, said: "This campaign could not come fast enough.

"We need this message to reach everyone."

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