British Fashion designer Giles Deacon and a number of celebrities are backing Crusaid’s THINK. TALK. ACT.GIVE! campaign this World Aids Day, December 1.

The campaign calls for the public to consider the issues around HIV and Aids - such as the link to poverty - with the aim of putting the illness back on the public agenda. From today the exclusive Giles Eek mascot t shirt will be available to buy online with all proceeds going towards Crusaid’s work around HIV and Aids in the UK and internationally.
 
Giles Deacon has kept in line with his previous collection and incorporated his quirky mascot Eek who features as part of his new jewellery collection. Japanese inspired Eek, made his debut in the designers Autumn Winter 07 collection and now appears in every GILES collection.

In honour of World AIDS Day, the goggle eyed cartoon character is styled in spiked studs which are an abstract reference to protection. The designer hopes that the philosophy behind the design will inspire much needed discussion around HIV and Aids and prompt people to THINK. and ACT. responsibly.
 
Giles said:
“People need to be reminded that HIV and AIDS haven’t gone away and that it was not just an illness of the eighties. Fashion is a form of self expression and always gets people talking. By getting Eek ‘protected’ I hope he can inspire many conversations around HIV and Aids and really get people talking and thinking about this illness– it affects everyone!”.
 
Lisa Snowden said:
“There are simply too many people today living with HIV and Aids that are suffering extreme hardship.  It is charities like Crusaid that offer the help and hope that these people need.”

Through its various programmes, Crusaid provides support to adults and children affected by HIV and Aids living in poverty in the UK and internationally. The Crusaid Hardship Fund alone supports one in three people affected by HIV and Aids living in the UK. Crusaid does not receive government funding and so therefore relies on the support of its donors and money raised from the charities fundraising events.
 
Chief Executive, Jordan Hay said:
“HIV and AIDS issues appear to have become less of a priority, especially in the UK. So many people are living with the illness and in unimaginable conditions. Our message this World AIDS Day is clear, we all need to think, talk, act and give – HIV and AIDS have not gone away and the issues will remain unless we all come together to do something.”
 
Other celebrity supporters include Joanna Lumely OBE, FRGS, Alan Cumming, Liz McClarnon, Anthony Cotton, The Feeling, Theo Walcott, Sue Perkins, Paul O’Grady and Jaime Jay.

For details about the Crusaid’s THINK. TALK. ACT.GIVE! campaign visit:
www.thinktalkactgive.org

For more information about Crusaid visit:
www.crusaid.org.uk

To buy the t-shirt visit: 
www.thinktalkactgive.org