Red Ribbon Appeal raises $90k

SYDNEY: ACON's 2011 Red Ribbon Appeal has been declared a success, with over $90,000 raised on World AIDS Day and other associated events.

“This year’s Red Ribbon Appeal superseded last year’s figures and we simply couldn’t have done it without the dedication of over 150 volunteers, businesses and the support of our community,” ACON’s acting media manager Danny Adams told SX.

About $24,000 was raised at the World AIDS Day Concert in late November. Directed by Trevor Ashley and Craig Renshaw, the concert featured over two dozen cabaret and musical theatre artists, all of whom paid tribute to the music of Judy Garland.

Over $44,000 was raised at Red Ribbon Appeal activities on December 1 and December 2, with volunteers selling red ribbons, the international symbol for HIV awareness, at various locations in the Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and Lower North Shore.

Over $22,000 was raised by collections at other events including fundraisers at Arq, Stonewall Hotel, Midnight Shift and Beresford Hotel as well as collections at Jersey Boys and Elton John concerts.