A total of $5,600 was raised by events at this year's Christchurch Pride Week, say organisers at the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, with the lion's share being returned to local community groups.

$3,600 of the funds raised will be distributed to various community groups, while the remaining $2,000 will be held over for Pride Week 2008. "This will be used to provide assistance for community groups wanting to hold events at next year's Pride Week," says organiser and NZAF health promoter Brent Mitchell.

"We're hoping to eventually build up a fund that will make Pride Week a self-sustaining event."

Groups to benefit from funds raised at Pride Week this year include:
� Youth/student support groups Qtopia ($750), UniQ Lincoln ($1,000), and Hilmorton High School GLBT Group ($350)
� Joy Crumpton Trust, a hospice ($250)
� Lesbian Radio ($250)
� Pink Health Otautahi, to go towards a documentary in production about the GLBT community in Christchurch ($1,000)

Christchurch Pride Week was initiated by NZAF in 2005 as a vehicle for raising HIV awareness, building strong communities, and encouraging safe sex behaviour among gay and bisexual men � who remain the most at-risk group for HIV transmission within New Zealand.

The groups to benefit from this year's Pride Week funds illustrate the diversity of the GLBT communities in Christchurch, says organiser Brent Mitchell. "There are groups looking after youth, providing for people with ill health, documenting our community's history, and ensuring our unique voices continue to be heard in the media."

Groups or individuals interested in being part of Pride Week 2008 can get in touch with Brent Mitchell at NZAF South/Te Toka on (03) 309 5560.

Ref: NZAF (m)

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Chch Pride Week raised community dollars