20 NOV 2009 - The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) is preparing for a low cost World AIDS Day campaign which will hit the streets next Friday, 27 November 2009. Benjamin Barratt-Boyes, NZAF National Partnerships Co-ordinator and project manager for World AIDS Day says "we are aiming for the highest level of transparency and the lowest cost possible for the World AIDS Day Street Appeal. The budget is $5000 to collect on the streets and malls in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland and we're right on track to meet that. In fact there will probably be some change."

Funds are raised by the NZAF during the World AIDS Day Street Appeal by asking for donations in exchange for red ribbons. The proceeds benefit a fund that is earmarked exclusively to provide treatments and medical expenses that are not subsidised for people living with HIV. Proceeds from other events like parties and art shows benefit targeted HIV prevention campaigns for the communities most at risk of HIV.

Barratt-Boyes says that "the red ribbon is very important to the NZAF and by keeping our Street Appeal very simple and focussed on the red ribbon we've been able to keep costs to a minimum. It's essential to the NZAF that people can feel confident their donation is money well spent. Our budget covers posters to promote the Street Appeal, and identifying stickers and tags for the collection buckets and volunteers. Both volunteers and NZAF staff have created about 35,000 red ribbons for distribution and everyone out on the street will be a volunteer or a staff member."

The red ribbon is the oldest of the 'ribbon' campaigns. Originally created by New York artists in 1991 the red ribbon is an international symbol of solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS. Its creators chose red for its 'connection to blood and the idea of passion - not only anger, but love, like a valentine'.