World AIDS Day Vigil – A Powerful Evening of Remembrance and Solidarity

On Sunday, 1st December 2024, our community came together in Runcorn for a moving World AIDS Day vigil — a heartfelt evening to remember those we have lost, support those living with HIV, and stand united against stigma.

The night began with a candlelit walk from Grangeway Community Centre, led by the Deputy Mayor and Consort of Halton alongside Rev’d Emma Speake, before arriving at St. Andrew’s Church, Linkway, Runcorn WA7 5EJ for the vigil. The service included Acts of Remembrance, Wings of Remembrance, messages of support, speeches, and moments of quiet reflection.

It was a truly special gathering, with many attendees filling the space with warmth and solidarity. The BBC joined us to interview organisers and Jonathan Blake, one of the UK’s earliest diagnosed people living with HIV and a tireless campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights.

After the vigil, guests shared in a buffet and refreshments — connecting, remembering, and celebrating the strength of our community.

Together, we honoured the past, embraced the present, and looked forward with hope for a future free from stigma.