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FM attends AIDS charity concert
16/05/2004
First Minister, Jack McConnell today called on the
Scottish people to do all they can to help the 40 million
people suffering from HIV/AIDS inAfrica.
The First Minister was speaking at a gala charity
concert to raise money for children inAfricaafflicted by HIV/AIDS.
The concert was organised by Patti Boulaye's "Support
forAfrica" charity and the line up included Jim Diamond, Boney
M, Leo Sayer, and David Sneddon.
Speaking ahead of the concert inGlasgow, the First Minister said:
"There is a strong bond of friendship betweenScotlandandAfricawhich has its roots in the work of our church and
schools over centuries. We now need to make that friendship
real by doing all we can to help their fight against
AIDS.
"The spread of HIV/AIDS has become the worst
manifestation of poverty and deprivation acrossAfricaand is one of the biggest public health challenges
facing the world today. It transcends national and
international boundaries and affects virtually every part
of the world.
"Words cannot describe the human tragedy this
terrible disease brings in its wake. Young lives full
of potential are brought to an untimely end, families
are torn apart and children orphaned or
abandoned.
"These children need our support and help. That
is why I am here tonight lending my support."
The charity, Support forAfrica, funds HIV/AIDS education and prevention work
inAfrica. The money raised from the SECC concert will be used
to set up a centre for abandoned children who have HIV/AIDS
inAfrica. 2. The concert was inspired the success of
Reaching out for Africa 2002, which was held in the Royal
Albert Hall, London, and starred Sir Cliff Richard and
Gabrielle. 3. There are an estimated 40 million people
living with HIV, nearly two thirds of them live in
Sub-Saharan Africa. Nearly 40 per cent of the population in
BotswanaandSwazilandhave contracted HIV.
This release was uploaded on 18/05/2004