Moray minister takes 2.6 million steps for HIV awareness
A MORAY minister has taken 2.6 million steps over the last nine months to raise awareness about HIV.
Reverend Jenny Adams, minister of Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman Parish Church, wore red laces as she went about her daily business in her parish as well as in Edinburgh, Israel, Palestine and on holiday in France as part of the Church of Scotland HIV Programme’s All Tied Up campaign.
Mrs Adams wore the laces at a Madness concert in Inverness, the Refuel Festival in Fochabers and her son's graduation ceremony from the University of Aberdeen.
She said: "I have done a personal steps challenge so on days when I've managed to walk at least 10,000 steps, I give 25p to the HIV Programme and on days when I've not been able to I give 50p.
"I've worn the red laces in daily life and work but also on walking shoes and I have raised £109 so far.
"It was a challenge to help get me walking more without feeling bad about the less active days, while raising money for important work and raising awareness of HIV and AIDS through comments and conversation."
The kirk's HIV Programme has amassed around £1.8 million over the last 17 years. It supports 16 projects in 13 countries, including Scotland, by helping to provide nutritional support, home-based care, palliative care, community-based orphan care, awareness raising and education programmes.
There are an estimated 5881 people living with HIV in Scotland.
Carol Finlay of the Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council, who has responsibility for the HIV Programme, thanked participants up and down the country for supporting the All Tied Up campaign.
"This phenomenal effort by church members has not just helped raise money to support partner projects in Scotland and overseas but has helped raise awareness of the continuing global issue of HIV and the impact on individuals, families and communities,” she said.
