TV Star Helps in Fight Against Ethiopia's Growing HIV/AIDS Pandemic

TV and stage actor, Simon Shepherd, thanked Bristol based, international, not-for-profit organisation, MIDIRS, Wednesday 7th February for pledging support to Tearfund's 'Work a Miracle' appeal, which aims to raise £60 million for HIV and AIDS-related work by 2015.

Both Tearfund and MIDIRS were delighted when Simon, well known for playing Dr Will Preston in TV's Peak Practice, agreed to support the appeal on behalf of Tearfund.

Simon Shepherd said: "As a father I know how important it is that children have the best possible start in life. But AIDS is a massive challenge to this, particularly in Africa, where thousands of babies are being born with HIV. But this can be prevented.

"While money can't buy miracles, it can buy clinics, education, orphan care and provide counselling and testing - all things that go a long way to preventing children suffering the effects of HIV. That's why I am pleased to add my support to the Work a Miracle appeal."

Simon joined Vicky Carne, MIDIRS Head of Midwifery, Hilary Field of Tearfund, and other officials, on Wednesday, when he received a £3,000 cheque from MIDIRS towards Tearfund's campaign, at Bristol's Old Vic Theatre, where Simon is currently starring in Ibsen's Ghosts.

News of the devastating Aids epidemic that continues to sweep across Ethiopia, first reached MIDIRS, via an article in Metro newspaper. With Tearfund's appeal closely aligned to MIDIRS own mission, to assist health professionals in providing mothers and babies with the best possible care, it was moved to show its commitment to the cause by donating £3,000, and a pledge to help raise awareness of the plight of Ethiopian mothers and children to its worldwide network of healthcare professionals.

MIDIRS Head of Midwifery, Vicky Carne, said: "MIDIRS is delighted to support Tearfund's life-changing 'Work a Miracle' campaign. The statistics make very difficult reading and are heart-wrenching, yet a very modest sum of money, £7 a month, can give a baby the chance of beginning its young life free from HIV infection.

"MIDIRS is totally committed to raising awareness of the difficulties being experienced by HIV-positive mothers in Ethiopia, and we hope that our subscribers will equally embrace this cause and lend their support."

The facts of this appalling epidemic are hard to digest. It is estimated that over 200,000 HIV positive mothers are giving birth in Ethiopia each year, resulting in over 60,000 babies being born HIV-positive last year.

At present, one in three infected mothers will pass HIV on to their newborn child, yet a few simple measures can reduce this risk to 5%. Two doses of medicine - one for the mother before labour, and one for the baby after birth - can dramatically reduce the chances of HIV passing through the blood.

MIDIRS will be focusing strongly on raising awareness of the level of poverty experienced by many in Africa, and in the process, conveying to its contacts the great need for one-off or regular donations in order to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.