Sir,-I was very pleased to read the article by our MP Jenny Tonge attacking the Vatican on AIDS and her support for a disease which is causing mass destruction throughout the world and heartbreak among ordinary families.

The UK a few years ago focused seriously on the subject with considerable publicity and television coverage. But because the government and authorities thought the disease had disappeared, everything was put on hold.

With the increase of sexually transmitted diseases, particularly among the younger population, and lack of serious awareness, HIV and AIDS is on the increase again and it needs urgent attention by the health authorities and most important of all by the government.

I would like to give the following statistics - that over five million under the age of 15 have died of this disease. Also it is known that more than 1,000 children are affected with HIV and 33,000 people in the UK have HIV, infecting mostly people under 24.

Millions of affected children have to deal with the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS. Children are bullied and excluded from school and in some cases families are driven from their homes. All whilst having to deal with losing a loved one. 40 per cent of the British population are unaware of HIV/AIDS which is still on the increase in this county.

It is time everyone made this dreadful disease their top priority. I have just recently joined a first class charity namely 'Children With Aids' who are working to help families in this position.

If anyone would like to help or support the cause please contact Peter Brooke Turner, 'Children With Aids', Lion House, 3 Plough Yard, London EC2A 3LP, 020 7247 9115, fax: 020 7247 9120.

Just a footnote: I would like to congratulate our North Richmond Councillor Marc Cranfield Adams in offering us local residents a personal newsletter keeping us up to date with local issues.

It is unusual for a councillor to embark on this sort of promotion. When elected you never hear from them, usually. Well done Marc, keep it up.-Ray Perrin, Clifford Avenue, East Sheen.

April 30, 2003 15:00