Bristol students Dance4life in support of Aids programme

Students at Red Maids' and QEH schools stepped out in support of a global programme to help young people learn more about HIV and Aids.

They took part in a dance4life workshop led by a team from Africa, America and the UK.

Dance4life is a programme that aims to help young people worldwide become aware of what needs to be done to halt the spread of the disease.

Six thousand people a day contract HIV and for every five people newly infected, only two get treatment.

The sixth-formers from the two independent schools were given a talk about HIV/Aids and heard from a young man from Sierra Leone whose sister died.

They also learned a dance "drill" which they will be able to perform on November 27 along with up to a million other young people in many countries. The students were also encouraged to consider fundraising in support of the campaign to get universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Red Maids student Rachael Bradley said: "The workshop was inspirational and fun, but we also learnt a lot about the HIV virus."

Bethany Evans said: "Hearing Daniel's story first-hand really hit home. He is from Sierra Leone and his sister died from Aids in tragic circumstances. It helps you to understand the scale of the problem."

The dance4life tour is visiting schools in 21 cities across the UK throughout October and November.

For more information see www.dance4life.co.uk.