A world record for World AIDS Day 2011
02 December 2011
Staff at 56 Dean Street marked World AIDS Day on Thursday 1 December by setting a Guinness World Record for administering HIV tests at the G-A-Y Bar in Old Compton Street.
Staff at 56 Dean Street marked World AIDS Day on Thursday 1 December by setting a Guinness World Record for administering HIV tests at the G-A-Y Bar in Old Compton Street.
A grand total of 476 people took the test in just 8 hours and that meant £4,760 was raised for the Elton John AIDS Foundation because the G-A-Y Bar donated £10 for every test performed.
Staff from 56 Dean Street, Chelsea and Westminster’s award-winning HIV and sexual health centre in Soho, provided discrete testing and support services at 9HIV testing stations throughout the bar, as well as providing HIV education and counselling advice.
Dr Simon Barton, Clinical Director for HIV & Sexual Health Services at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This event was both groundbreaking and inspirational.
“I never thought that people would be so comfortable with testing in such numbers in a bar and the fact that 476 people chose to test and felt confident to be visible in doing so is a major statement about destigmatising testing.”
Leigh Chislett, Clinic Manager at 56 Dean Street, said: “This world record attempt was a huge success and all staff did us proud.”