PUPILS are marking World Aids Day by joining a procession that will cross the new Millennium bridge over the Tyne today.
Teenagers from Joseph Swan School, in Gateshead, and Boldon Comprehensive School will join health promotion workers for the procession from Grey's Monument, in the centre of Newcastle, to Baltic Square, in Gateshead.
Many in the procession will carry lanterns, intended symbolically to shed light on the complacency that surrounds HIV and Aids in Western Europe.
The bridge will be illuminated with red lights as the procession crosses the river.
Once they have reached the Gateshead side members of the procession will take part in a short memorial service and also observe a minute's silence.
Robin Creighton, schools education co-ordinator for Gateshead, said: "Each day around 16,000 people worldwide contract HIV but, unfortunately, not everybody understands the risks.
"It is vitally important people are made aware of the risks and know how to protect themselves.
"We are hopeful the procession will help do this."
Everyone is welcome to join the procession, which will be leaving Grey's Monument at 4pm.
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