On 11th September 2017, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Gerald Jones, attended the National AIDS Trust’s Let’s End It campaign launch in the House of Lords, marking the 30th birthday of the charity’s work championing the rights of people living with HIV and campaigning for change.

The Let’s End It campaign sets a goal to end the growth of the HIV epidemic and the continued stigma surrounding HIV before another 30 years pass by.

Since it was founded in 1987, the National AIDS Trust, which works on HIV-related policy and campaigns for change, have safeguarded people with HIV against employment discrimination, ended the lifetime ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood, and ensured free HIV treatment for everyone in the UK regardless of immigration status.

Speaking after the event, Gerald Jones said: “I was really pleased to have been able to attend the National AIDS Trust’s 30th birthday celebration. The NAT have campaigned tirelessly for the rights of those with HIV since 1987 and their Let’s End It campaign will ensure the stigma around HIV continues to be tackled over the next 30 years.

“I am very much looking forward to further working with the NAT and supporting their campaign to end the HIV epidemic for once and all.”

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT, said: “30 years after NAT was founded, it is important to look forward as well as at our past. We share in the excitement over falling rates of HIV diagnosis in certain locations and certain demographics – we now have the opportunity to turn the tide with HIV. Our organisation exists to make sure we take these opportunities, but critical challenges remain and our job is far from done.

“I hope decision makers and the general public will get behind the Let’s End It campaign, which is both a rallying cry and a message of optimism.  For 30 years, our supporters have helped us fight HIV. Now, let’s end it.”